If you like your Americana to sound old and authentic you’re gonna love this. The Ontario trio recorded these twenty-one songs during their most recent visit to Britain and now, I’m afraid, we have to deal with the technical stuff. The record was recorded in single takes on a 1938 Presto recording lathe cutting directly to a lacquer disc. Being as how nobody has the kit to play 78s any more, the record was remastered to these new-fangled compact discs. Oh yes, the most authentic Americana album you’ve ever heard was recorded in Skegness.
The trio perform on banjo, fiddle, harmonica and sousaphone and the recording process gives the music that authentic, slightly echoey sound of the period. Paradoxically, the vocals are as clear as you could wish. The set opens with ‘Down In Your Pockets’, a typical depression period piece – the complaint of the man with no money – and that’s followed by a harmonica piece, ‘John Henry’, that isn’t the tune you expect.
Next comes ‘Truly Understand’ and I’m having a problem. No writer credits are given for these tracks and it’s impossible to trace the origins of most of them. ‘Sweet To Mama’ is by Big Bill Broonzy and ‘Jackson Stomp’ was recorded by the Mississippi Mud Steppers in 1930. ‘Sister Maud Mule’ is vintage but as for the rest… I don’t mind that Sheesham, Lotus and ‘Son wrote most of this record but I’d like them to be honest about it, particularly as they are aiming at real authenticity with this album.
That aside, 78rpm, is a wonderful evocation of the period and a lot of fun, and I bet Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son are a brilliant live act. But it is just for fun.
Dai Jeffries
Artists’ website: www.sheeshamandlotus.com
‘Keep It Clean’ – live at Blue Skies Festival:
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