Bill Staines CD Review
Bill Staines
Old Dogs
Red House RHR CD 208
***
Simple, homely songs sang by a voice typical of many folk country singer-songwriters, mellow and low-key – where the lyrics take pride of place
Bill Staines has been a purveyor of his art for years, and though many changes have taken place in the outside world during this time his music has changed little. Consistently mellow, his lyrics warm and homely, likewise, his worn voice isn’t the kind to raise too many ripples on the water or melodies prompt the listener to clamp their hands or stomp their feet.
Snug, and warm like an old dog curled up in front of a winter’s feel Bill tenders songs telling stories and in a poet fashion to boot. Non any finer than a song he got from the singing of Joseph Spence’s traditional piece, Great Dream From Heaven and his own, gently flowing Sweet Wyoming Home – the nearest he gets to his most popular song Roseville Fair (Nanci Griffith) in terms of urgency, but like another who too has covered his work, Jerry Jeff Walker little hurries him. While a better meeting place than Eddie and Flo’s Golden Bird as mentioned in Larry Murray’s song Mama Lou I could not think of – as long as they served Guinness that is.
Maybe, Bill would get up and pick (as he does on the album) in the unusual style of Elizabeth Cotton as heard on her tunes Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie and Freight Train, where like on the entire album less counts for more…artistically.
Most of Staines other songs pass without incident, while it was good to hear him covering not only a John Stewart song, Cody – especially since the Big Guy was recently taken from us though leaving good memories and songs, but Norman Blake’s Uncle Sam (telling of drug addiction) and one of lesser known but most fine songs from Guy Clark, Lone Star Hotel Cafe. Notable for both its easy flowing melody and reflective storylines fits Staines’ style well, who aided by fine guitar, dobro and hints of violin / accordion has it back up (on the album) his own fine though totally predictable fiddle warmed tale Old Dogs. Maurice Hope