First Listen: Amy Kucharik “Cunning Folk”
Amy Kucharik is releasing a new record this Friday, July 11th and its going to be a spectacle. Performance, art, dance, and of course music will overtake Oberon just outside of Harvard Square’s center. I got a sneak peak at the new record, ‘Cunning Folk’ before its release and the album is a show unto itself.
Amy really went above and beyond with the layers and textures here. I love her voice and performances when she is by herself and 4 strings or harmonizing with another (as she did last Saturday at Club Passim with Dan Blakeslee), but this is something distinctive and standout.
The opening track “Prodigal Son” is a kick right in the mouth and wastes no time easing you into the groove and sway of the music. Very cool consistencies to the sounds, with a washboard-y chop in the background, howling harmonica, guitars, keys and a slew of other things. Amy has an also talking blues quality to the way she annunciates certain phrasings, keeping things interesting, keeping you always guessing, but flowing extremely well. She also has sarcastic edge, but uses extremely smart and witty writing in this track.
“well I can try to be meek, last about a week and then ask for what I am worth”
‘The Cunning Snake’ is a beautiful track that serves as a nice interlude, with Ansel Barnum’s incredible harmonica playing leading the charge. A hollow, distant feel which is then followed up by a very Middle Eastern infused dance in “Buzzard’s Bay”. There is no “one sound” to the collection, but it flows extremely well with the defining factor being the songwriter’s vocal.
‘Stronger’, leads with Amy’s vocal and her ukulele a
nd some supporting roles from the expert players she has enlisted. Cutting through the cigarette smoke at a New Orleans back alley club and bringing the room to a complete standstill…that is how I see this song. Really quite a lovely and powerful song.
Kucharik’s record has a very burlesque, 20’s depression, back room at a speakeasy kind of a vibe to it. It’s got a modern-vintage, name on a marquee, costumes and big show production feeling to me. That’s a damn good thing too. It’s different and completely unique. I believe Amy classifies herself somewhere in the “folk” realm, but this stands out among the other folky folks. There is certainly some folk mentality to her songs and playing (I mean she does play a ukulele) but there’s a bit more that goes beyond that here. She has a truly beautiful voice that is at the forefront this record and he writing is clever, fun and intelligent. So if you are looking for something beyond the fold and a bit more exciting than your typical “gal with a guitar singing songs” than I highly suggest checking this album and the release show out! This girl is a talent you need to know.
Get your tickets now: http://americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/cunning-folk-cabaret-amy-kucharik-cd-release-spectacular
