A quick glance at the cover of
Kathleen Williamson's
The Sacred Spud lends a clue to what's on her mind: the spud is shaped like a heart. The lead track,
"Looking for a Savoir," is an easy-rolling song that evokes a number of early-'70s songsmiths (
Sandy Denny, for instance, on
Sandy).
Hal Rugg's pedal steel adds a
country tinge, while the vocal harmony inserts an ethereal feel.
"Shake the Demon" has a similar laid-back feel, with
Williamson unfurling a story of love gone wrong. The song, at six minutes, is rather long, but it works thanks to
Williamson's relaxed delivery and, as with
"Looking for a Savoir," the addition of
Lisa Oley's background vocals. There's also a clever, upbeat travelogue titled
"American Dream" with a nice arrangement of electric guitar, steel, piano, and accordion. These songs, however, are just one of
The Sacred Spud's many approaches. There are
folk songs, like
"Good Ole' Fashioned UnAmericana," a tribute to being unfashionable and non-commercial, and
"My Hometown," a contemporary protest song. There are also a number of
blues, including
"Don't Make a Scene Kathleen" and
"Brother Can You Spare Ten Bucks." Williamson has crafted several fine songs on
The Sacred Spud, highlighted by tasteful arrangements and a solid production, and the album should appeal to those who appreciate eclectic singer/songwriters. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
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