On March 24, the virtuosic duo Larry & Joe released their album Nuevo South Train in Durham, NC at The Fruit. Joe Troop, the guitar, fiddle, and banjo player from the Grammy-nominated band Che Apalache, did a residency series at The Fruit and Larry Bellorín, a harp player from Venezuela had been encouraged to connect with Joe. Their connection was immediate and what results is a vibrant, joyful sound.
In our podcast interview, we talk about that show at The Fruit. I was there, and loved every minute. Joe told the audience that we are “the Nuevo South.” Like the South (but unlike many roots music concert audiences) this audience was diverse! The title track of Nuevo South Train encourages everyone to get on board. It’s a unique song, with modulating tempos, lyrics in Spanish and English, and a lot of humor. In this sense, it’s a song with a message, but a light touch. As Joe talks about in our podcast conversation, it’s not that everyone has to see everything in the same way; but we do have to stay in the room together and figure things out.
One way to get people in the room is to play as well as Larry and Joe. From the first notes of the concert, their skill and respect for traditions was on display. Both Larry and Joe are multi-instrumentalists, so the sound never gets predictable or tired. And they can both sing so beautifully, investing everything in the emotion of the words. One of the highlights of the night was the gorgeous and sorrowful hymn-like song, “Border Wall.” It features verses from Joe, Larry, and DaShawn Hickman, who joined them on steel guitar. The refrain goes: “Border wall, border wall / There will come one bright morning when it stands there no more.”
I had so many questions about this record and the songs. But our conversation was mostly about making music together, and it was so heartfelt and beautiful that I am glad we didn’t just dive into a track-by-track analysis. We talk about community, tradition, and mostly about love.
I hope you enjoy the podcast. Find out more about Larry & Joe, including tour dates, at their website.