The Grahams: Glory Bound

The Grahams: Glory Bound

By Brian Rock

Husband and wife team, The Grahams, hit the tracks to record new tracks for their second release. Inspired by Woody Guthrie’s “Farmer Labor Train,” Alyssa and Doug Graham wanted to create a train themed project. So they rode the rails from Oklahoma to Memphis to New Orleans working with a varied cast of musicians and honing their lyrical stories before laying tracks in the studio. The result is Glory Bound.

The eponymous lead track captures the spirit of the iron horse with the chooglin’ rhythm of a train at full speed. Alyssa’s powerful voice recalls early Melissa Etheridge and Doug lends backing harmony for the chorus. But instead of yearning for a bygone era, they sing, “Wish I never done the things I did when I was young. But sometimes I need to put the hammer down.” Just as cars are today’s symbol of freedom and mobility, the Grahams tap into that same attribute of the great age of railroads.

They explore that freedom both lyrically and musically. Singing songs about gambling girls, wild ones, and drifters, they tell their musical stories with Country, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rockabilly and Gospel influences. But instead of melding together into a stew, each musical influence has its moment to shine like the ever changing crystals of a kaleidoscope.

“Gambling Girl,” is straight Barrelhouse Blues that you just want to turn up to eleven. “Blow Wind Blow,” is a beautiful Folk ballad with touches of Scottish Highland rhythms as Alyssa sings, “Blow wind blow, right to the bone. Nothing blows through you like being alone.” There is expert fiddle playing in the bridge, but you get the feeling that bagpipes would have felt just as at home there.

From the heartfelt ballad, “Lay Me Down,” to the Bluegrass fueled, “Kansas City,” to the Country Gospel of “Mama,” producer Wes Sharon masterfully mines the rich traditions of each musical style to create a richly textured and eminently satisfying album.

The synergy of Alyssa’s vocals, Doug’s guitar and Wes’ production really fires on all cylinders on the songs, “Griggstown” and “Biscuits.” “Griggstown” tells a haunting, yet ambiguous story of revenge. With references to evil houses, dark alleys, pistols in drawers, there’s an ominous feeling of dread in the air, though we’re never quite certain of its cause. The spaghetti western guitar riffs add perfectly to the suspense while Alyssa sings, “You can follow me down to the dark side of town, but you’ll never get that far.” “Biscuits” changes gears with a laid back, acoustic, and totally irresistible Blues slide guitar hook while Alyssa tempts you with her siren call, “If you’re tired of fishing, come on in the kitchen and I’ll show you why the biscuits rise.” A tribute to the bawdy Blues of the Roaring Twenties, this may be the perfect song to kick off the summer.

Whether bound for glory or not, this album is a train ride through the Americana musical landscape – with a first class ticket.

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