‘Good Times are Coming Our Way’ is the title of Susannah Clegg’s album. An understatement if it’s used to describe her debut collection. For these ten songs firmly announce her as one of the stars of traditional country music in the UK. While many others blend pop with the genre to various extents, Clegg stays true to fiddle, double bass and guitar. Showcasing a versatile vocal alongside these trusted instruments, she crafts simple and emotive stories told with a stereotypical twang.
There is no better example of her repertoire than the opening track ‘Prospect Street’. It supplants the listener within the era of Hank Williams and Bill Monroe. Much like the Jaywalkers, Clegg does not so much pay homage to these artists as put her own spin on their popular sound. The result is highly evocative. ‘Put Me in My Grave’ walking a fine line between consuming love and melodramatic heartbreak well.
The fiddle is expertly adaptable, shifting emotions throughout. Its playfulness giving way to a kind of sorrow on ‘Tess’. The track is so atmospheric, bringing to mind the Gothic Folk of Toria Wooff. But it’s the chorus that is captivating – self-aware and observant, like a John Prine track – with the addition of some beautiful lines of verse featuring butterflies and moths. What Clegg does so well is include instrumental moments within her songs. They create breathing space not only for the listener but the lyrics, enabling the stories to be told with ambience that sets a certain tone. The title track, for example, turning from mellow to funereal and back again as a tale of tragedy unfolds.
‘Sweet Roses’ is a lovely little interlude before the second half of the album features recognisable tracks for those who have seen her live. Both ‘Caroline’ and ‘Colorado’ continue her penchant for measured storytelling, in ways that are highly memorable. Every word of the former rolls off my tongue after only a couple of listens while the latter is so engrossing as to be transportive. One can feel the ache towards the place which is then nicely contrasted with the fast-picking bluegrass on ‘Last to Know Blues’. By far the liveliest song on the album, it shows another side to Clegg which keeps the record refreshing. The subversive gospel of ‘Let in the Night’ to finish underlining her strengths. She is an artist steeped in the history of country music. But with this album, she most definitely makes it her own.
You can purchase Susannah Clegg’s debut album here, or listen on your preferred streaming platform.
Featured Image (C) Susannah Clegg Music
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