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I first had the pleasure of a JoAnn Guest
performance just about a year ago at one of the now many Texas music
festivals. Guest did country, folk, and jazz, all in a very personal
and unique style. I enjoyed the first performance I attended and
looked forward to other festivals since, when her name was on the bill.
So I was pleased at the opportunity to review her self released CD,
"The Bosque".
Unlike so many CDs, "The Bosque" is a true compilation of Guest’s
live performances. Guest and her authoring partner, James Teat, put
together a wonderful mixture of good folk, country, and even jazz with
scat. Teat also contributes acoustic guitar and great harmony
vocals. Credit also goes to Rocky Gribble on mandolin, acoustic and
electric guitar; Junior Knight on dobro and pedal steel; Mike McClain on
keyboards, bass, and drums; and Steve Story on Fiddle.
First of all, the title track, “The Bosque,” really intrigued me.
The Bosque is actually a small river in the central Texas region that
holds lots of relativity for me. I have family roots in the area and
now live near and work in Waco, which gets its drinking water from this
beleaguered stream. Guest’s song describes the results of
decades-long neglect of environmental standards in support of the thriving
dairy farm industry and pollution. The comparisons Guest makes in
her song of her childhood river memories and the river of today is a
plaintive and nostalgically reminiscent, “It’s just not that way
anymore.” That pretty much sums it up for so many things in
life, but most especially for the poor ol’ Bosque.
I also clicked with the “Train Song.” I usually like train songs in
general and this one was certainly not a disappointment. Guest
really wails on this one and the refrain gives you the willies with her
haunting moan that links the visual image to the train whistle moan.
Makes you want to try that sound yourself (out on the road in the car with
all the windows rolled up). Maybe you can be more successful that I
was!
“Our Love Won’t Die” is another reminiscently sentimental lament.
It’s a sweet and very soothing ballad that takes you back to the days of
planting trees or other flora and worrying your parents silly about
whether it will survive. Their response of, ‘that tree won’t die,’
transitions into the theme for life-long love and partnership that won’t
die. Pleasant thought.
“Two Ships” is a wonderful folk ballad that literally cruises through your
mind. Guest does some scat on “30 Days” that is just fun listening.
You can’t help getting into this song, it’s so upbeat, light-hearted, and
almost nonsensical. Then there is a great duet with Teat on “Walk
Thru the Fire”.
This CD truly has something for just about every taste. The only
reason you wouldn’t like it is if you’re partial to a particular style or
genre. Your complaint would be that there isn’t enough of any one
certain type to satisfy your craving. Otherwise, I know you will
find this one well worth several listens.
You can order this CD at
CC Now
Visit
JoAnn
Guest's website
Written by Cheryl Arthur-October, 2002
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