Corey

Sharek

 

The record starts…the first thing that gets you about Darrell Scott’s The Invisible Man is that this is some of the most daring vocal choices I think Scott has ever put to tape.  For a guy who’s written a bunch of top 10 songs, been nominated for a Grammy, released 5 other incredible records, including a virtually untouchable Live in NC, where does the guy go from there?  Well, apparently up.

Enter slide guitar and the bombastic Kenny Malone on “Hank Williams' Ghost”.  Again, reprising the greatness of Live in NC, Scott brings back the wonderful percussive stylings of Mr. Malone and Danny Thompson on electric and upright bass for The Invisible Man.  These three comprise some of the greatest avant-garde musicianship I’ve heard in years, and refreshingly unlike anything ever gracing the country/folk world.

I first heard “There's A Stone Around My Belly”, the second track of the CD, in a Unitarian Church while Darrell Scott was doing one of his signature intimate shows (author’s note: in my top 10 things to do before you die poll, seeing DS live in a church or other intimate venue is always among my answers).  There is a choir-type part that we all participated in that makes this song really reverberate inside of you.  The recorded version does not betray that feeling.

“Shattered Cross” is the only song on the album that is not written or co-written by Darrell Scott.  It was interesting that I didn’t find this out until I began writing this, and I’ve had this disc for a month prior to its release.  This may be the best vocal performance on the disc, as well as a brilliantly written song.

Even though “I'm Nobody " veers onto the preachy side of the road, it showcases Scott’s songwriting prowess.  The hard part of this song is that the message relayed is one we all should heed in our lives, but is a rough pill to gulp down.  A small part of me thinks that the soapbox should be left outside the door of the recording studio, but this is his gig; not mine.

“And The River Is Me” is classic Darrell Scott in the same vein as “With a Memory Like Mine” off of his record Real Time (co-written and recorded with Tim O’Brien).  Soft, lush and simply great.

Man!  Listen to the handshaking of Malone’s drum rims and Scott’s acoustic in ‘Let's Call It A Life’! Top that, Mr. Nashvegas-Music-Machine!  Then the chorus kicks in, Danny Thompson does a believable James Jamerson (Motown’s legendary bassist) and this bad boy moves!  A real knockout.

When I first heard "The Dreamer",  I was wondering if Scott was reading from Brian Burns’ songbook.  It conjures that great songwriting storytelling that made his “Miracle of Living” one of our all-time favorites, and destines this one into that same realm.

"Do It Or Die Trying" is one of those few songs that encourages you to think.  It is chock full of lines that ring both inspiration and despair. Lines like:

"The way it was explained to me
history repeats history
don’t you know living is a lot like flying
you either do it or die trying

And…
He said, “sir I don’t understand
where’s the enemy?”
He said, “Look in the mirror you’ll find him”

The title track of this disc is a very morose song about a man who desperately seeks notice and ultimately gains clarity in an epiphany that Heaven is full of unseen souls just like he is at that moment.

Someone forgot to tell Darrell Scott that the Viet Nam war was a lifetime ago.  "Goodle, USA" could easily have been topical then as it is now.  That, and the title is very clever (not cleaver*).  Another gem in a basket full of treasures.

*Only the diehard Darrell Scott fans will get this.

The CD ends with a couplet of introspective songs.  "Looking Glass" and "In My Final Hour" are both great songs in their own and very thoughtfully placed back-to-back.

A friend in South Carolina saw Scott at Merlefest held in Wilkesboro, NC, who was selling early-release copies.  I am so appreciative that he was thoughtful enough to send me a copy. I haven’t enjoyed a disc this much is a very long time.  In fact, months after first getting it, it’s still my go-to disc for when I want a great listen to realign my mood.

That said, I am giving this my first ever A+.

Corey Sharek, September, 2006

Track Listing
01. Hank Williams' Ghost
02. There's A Stone Around My Belly
03. Shattered Cross
04. I'm Nobody
05. And The River Is Me
06. Let's Call It A Life
07. The Dreamer
08. Do It Or Die Trying
09. The Invisible Man
10. Goodle, USA
11. Looking Glass
12. In My Final Hour

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