Jenny Kerr – The Girl Who Swallowed The Moon
Okey Doke Records
11 songs time – 39:56
San Franciscan Jenny Kerr is a provocative singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who draws from the blues, roots music, folk, gospel, old time country and rock and roll traditions in various configurations. Besides her expressive voice and creative songwriting, she plays fingerstyle guitar, dobro, Clawhammer banjo, piano and harmonica. She wrote ten of the songs and co-wrote one with Eric McFadden. The various musicians supply sure-fire support at every bend in the road.
“Girl Who Swallowed The Moon” enters with twangy “Secret Agent Man” guitar, harmonica, a strong drumbeat and Jenny’s powerful vocal with attitude. Distorted guitar and devilishly haunting harmonica drive “Cash Is King”. Slow and atmospheric are the words for the meandering “Devil Moon”, that features guitarist Eric McFadden on second vocal and more of Jenny’s infectious harmonica. That is until it shifts into high gear and chugs along briefly, before returning to earth. Henry Salvia’s moody organ along with Phillip Milner’s bluesy guitar and the lone horn section of the recording enhance “Shadow Of You”.
“Saint Geronimo” seems to be a tale of a saloon. Henry Salvia’s sprightly piano and Dave Zirbel on pedal steel guitar liven up the tune. Jenny’s prominent banjo alongside sliding strings lend “Elijah Said” a more Southern religious vibe. That feeling carries over to “I Ain’t Gonna Work No More” with banjo, guitar, fiddle, harmonica and piano going on. Country blues combined with gospel come into play on “Pont Neuf Blues” with Jenny playing slide and Resonator guitars. Henry Salvia’s lively piano once again picks up the spirit along with gospel backing vocals. More of the country blues influence on “Jenny’s Blues”. She plays slide guitar against the electric guitars of Eric McFadden and Phillip Milner. Slide and harmonica along with Phillip Milner on electric and baritone guitar on “Lost My Way”. It takes some wicked talent to write a song that sounds like it is a religious song from bygone days. That is just what Jenny has achieved with “May Angels Guide Your Every Step”. It is just her voice, Jules Leyhe on baritone and slide guitar, with backing vocals by Loralee Christensen and Phillip Milner. A lovely spiritual close to a magnificent musical statement.
Great care and creative insight are surely at work here. Every element gels perfectly. Truly a moving and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience for all that take a chance. You won’t be disappointed!
