Search - Storyhill :: Duotones

Light of the World

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 02/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Totally knocked out by their 2007 Red House CD Storyhill, this CD is my first adventure into their backlog of music. From Bozeman, Montana, Chris Cunningham & John Hermanson have lovely harmonies. The band put out a covers album of music from the 70s that inspired them. David Crosby's "Carry Me" that was on Crosby & Nash's Wind on the Water is revelatory as their lovely harmonies are tender and sweet, "There was my mother; She was lying in white sheets there and she was waiting to die, She said, 'If you just reach underneath this bed and untie these weights, I could surely fly.'" Kenny Loggins' "Danny's Song" touches the sweet spot with the nerves of a young father unsure of what will come, "Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey, Everything will bring a chain of love; In the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes and tell me everything is going to be all right." On Paul Williams' "We've Only Just Begun" that was a soft pop hit by the Carpenters, Storyhill's lovely high vocals and gorgeous harmonies surpass the original. Todd Rundgren penned "Love Is the Answer" that became a hit for England Dan & John Ford and rises beautifully here with Storyhill's sweet sunny harmonies, "Light of the world, shine on me, love is the answer; Shine on us all, set us free, love is the answer." Other tracks on the CD are also strong like Paul Simon's "Cecilia" & "The Boxer," Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years" & "Dirty Work," and Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze." Last year Sloan Wainwright did a lovely covers set titled Rediscovery. Storyhill's "Duotones" also embraces this music of decades past, making it live again today. Enjoy!"