Everyone knows that, though I live in San Francisco, my heart is back home in Texas. So it does me proud to hear bands like Mother Merey and the Black Dirt gritty blues/folk representing in Austin’s juke joints.
Down to the River is the excellent, boot-stomping title track from their upcoming debut. The cut blends lead vocalist Merey Kimbrough’s honey-sweet vocals and spiritual imagery with rhythmic acoustic guitar, pounding drum and swarming harmonica to create a hoedown hybrid.
I love music that sounds classic in the midst of evolving. Music that stays true to the spirit and legacy of the deep musical well it draws from.
Look or the album to be out sometime in April.
The band: Mother Merey Kimbrough (washboard/vocals), Eric Witthans (dobro/vocals) and Kevin Allen (harp/vocals)