ERNEST TROOST
O LOVE
Travelin’ Shoes Records
Ernest Troost gained most notoriety as an Emmy nominated song composer for films but more recently has concentrated on a solo career. He has brought out three previous solo release also soundtracks previous to these. This release is an outstanding example of rootsy Americana music not really blues orientated but with some twangy folk blues noticeable on the lovely slow slide guitar driven All I Ever Wanted. From the opening track Old Screen Door with its portrayal of family rows his voice resonates with soft lilting tones with his honest and heart felt take on all tracks. For all this quaintness in vocals it is the lyrics that stand out such as the effects on community dealing with mining and strikes on Harlan County Boys. A particular stand out track is the ballad Close an intense and evocative reflection of a long term relationship. All the way through this release there is an infectious desire by the listener to get immersed in the raw emotions of the songs but there are gritty undertones, it is hard to not assimilate his vocals to a Neil Young drawl but that is no criticism. With harmonies and backing vocals particularly Nicole Gordon on title track O Love a song that meanders like a fast stream and snarling bass drum played by Ralph Humphrey on Storm Comin’. This is a very accomplished and melodic release proving he is one of the best singer songwriters in the music business.
COLIN CAMPBELL