live
Artist: Harrod & Funck
Label: independent
Time: 56:52 / 13 tracks
If you're a fan of the softer folky acoustic songs of James Taylor
or even John Denver, and you haven't heard of Harrod & Funck, you're
missing out. No, they're not imitations by any means; they just have the
same rolling countryside and tender touch in their voices. Mark Heard enjoyed
their songs so much he produced their first album in 1991 (with The Choir's
Steve Hindalong on drums/percussion), and Over the Rhine's Ric Hordinski
took up the same task for their second album a few years later.
I've seen two of their live shows, and this disc captures their
essence and atmosphere as well as any live album could. The sonics are
superb, clear and warm as any studio recording, sliding the resonating
finger-picking, occasional harmonica, and smooth vocals right into your
ears. It's quite beautiful at times. The supporting bass, soft electric
guitars, keyboards, and drums have been left behind in the studio, putting
a stripped-down, solitary Harrod & Funck on center stage. The combination
of the music, humorous comments in between songs, and the crowd's laughter
and applause lends live a Prairie Home Companion feel, with a quiet
old-school music hall sound.
Fans should be delighted to find seven previously unreleased songs,
including funny-quirky tunes like "Model Waif" and "Grasshopper," the tribute
to Harrod's old home state "Carolina," and a cover of T. Bone Burnett's
"After All These Years." The previously released songs include a different
version of "Come Clean" from the Downstream compilation, "Worn Out Welcome"
from 1991's Dreams of the Color Blind, and "All Fall Down," "Tidewater,"
"Lion Song," and "Something" from their self-titled second album.
Go to the band's web site or to http://www.weathervanemusic.com
for ordering.
By Josh Spencer (11/19/98)
