Unpredictable. Colourful. Fantastical. All of these are words which could describe a travelling medicine show of the type popular in 19th century North America, many now-serious and respectable pharmaceutical firms getting their start distributing items like "Pink Pills for Pale People."
Enter the last brief months of the current millennium, and we have a medicine show of another type. Still unpredictable, still colorful, still fantastical, but without the chicanery of the old traveling show. No, the medicine that this show dispenses is salvation.
Cordola's latest effort is about as far removed from his Magdalen/Magdallan efforts as one could possibly imagine. Instead of loud, searing guitars we have a vast array of acoustic string instruments, including the ukulele, dobro, mandolin, bouzouki, and autoharp, not to mention the requisite acoustic guitar. There's a horn section to add a bluesy, jazzy flavor. Yes, there is the odd electric guitar, but only for color. Here the emphasis is on the songs and the lyrics, not on the guitar-hero capabilities that most people familiar with Cordola's work are aware that he has.
Cordola's voice is comfortable. Not pretty, but having the same gravelly, grainy quality as Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, thus proving itself an adequate instrument for the neo-folk-blues stylings at hand. And the songwriting proves itself to be up to the high level one would expect from those other gentlemen. The song "God's Trombone," for example, uses the rather unique metaphor of someone who's gone to be with the Lord being said to play "God's trombone."
Apparently this album was four years in the making. It doesn't seem at all inconsistent, though; the instrumentation may be unconventional at times, but a lot like Havalina Rail Co., the unconventionality is what makes the whole album hang together. I never would have thought a ukulele could be used for anything more serious than "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" until I heard it soloing on the title track.
When it comes down to it, this album is an expression of faith and hope, in quite a palatable package of quirky melodies and catchy accompaniments. I may not have known much about Cordola, or his style of music before, but I definitely want to hunt down more of his music now.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #73Reviewed by Doug Van PeltPartly due to non-existent marketing and push, and partly due to Lanny's prolific songwriting abilities, I feel like I've blinked a few times and missed half a dozen of this guy's albums. Here's another one that almost slipped through the cracks into quick obscurity - Salvation Medicine Show. On this 15-song collection, Lanny once again pays deep respect and tribute to his blues forefathers.…Similar sounding releases
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