Dee Calhoun - Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia

To say Dee has been nothing but prolific with his solo career so far would be a severe understatement which is evident with his fourth offering, 'Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia'. As before he moves within the acoustic realm but he has really embraced the Appalachian folk music he began to incorporate on 'Godless'. And that's a great decision, indeed. Featuring much more of the cigarbox guitar and shovel guitar adds even more mountain flavour to the songs.

 

Dee digs deep, really deep, into to the dark corners of existence and uncovers ugliness of the most horrid kind. Set to his brilliant music these terrifying tales and discoveries are amplified a thousandfold. Another strong point about Dee's brilliance as a songsmith is that he keeps things minimalistic. True, there are plenty of instruments at hand but everything serves a purpose and are not used just because. With the style of music Dee plays silence is essential as it enhances what's on offer immensely. It truly allows the darkness Mr. Calhoun so eloquently uncovers to come to the fore and illuminates his storytelling excellently.

 

There are ten songs on offer on the album and they are all great. However, five of the compositions stand out a touch more and truly represent what this album is about. The title track with its sinister story guided mainly by an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar. It's a brilliant horror story about what happens when you let blind faith lead your way; 'A Wish In The Darkness' is the most folksy of the compositions, in lack of better words, but don't be fooled. It's about complete ignorance unleashed on purpose and what the consequences are. 'Conjured' has a great Edgar Allan Poe feel to it which brings out perfectly the claustrophobia the song is steeped in; 'Stand With Me' is more lighter in its music approach as well as bringing forth more folk tones, Dee shares the lead vocals with his son Rob and together they rattle your bones with the story they tell. The last of the all-covering compositions is 'All I Need Is One'. The slide plays a central part here as Dee spews out his disgust at the sheep mentality which reigns supreme in our world.

Personally I believe Dee has really found his calling on this, his fourth solo album. And that says a lot because the previous three are damned great but there's a sense of finding his way on those. And that quest has been honed into perfection on 'Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia'. Everything comes together allowing the music to flow wonderfully and the outcome is...truly amazing!

 

And as before Dee's longtime compadre, bass maestro, Iron Louis Strachan assists on the four-string axe to great aplomb, as does another long serving member of Calhoun's musical vision, his son Rob. Young Houn takes on lead vocals on two songs as well as doing backing vocals and handling percussion. To keep the family bond even stronger Dee's daughter, Queen Nadia, appears too.

 

 - Swedebeast