The debut ten years in the making doesn’t disappoint
Although “Keep Me Waiting” is Big Sadie’s debut release, the pair that largely make them up – singer and upright bass player Elise Bergman and Collin Moore who brings vocals and guitar – have been playing music for over a decade.
This collaboration, however, is the first time the duo have recorded original material together, and right from the start – the dark “Danny” – it is clear there is a real chemistry here.
Bergman’s background in the folk/blues scene is allied perfectly to the bluegrass/trad area that Moore belongs to, and the harmonies in the vocals are simply gorgeous.
Recording the album live has certainly captured the energy that it was designed to, and the use of Matt Brown’s fiddle playing on work like “Only You” makes for a thrilling proposition. The first line of the track: “take me honky-tonkin’” perhaps gives some clues that this is unashamedly traditional in its sound and the record as a whole has a timeless quality as a result.
“Before Morning” – one of a few with Moore rather than Bergman on lead vocals – is a heart-breaking tale which sees Andy Malloy, who like BS belongs to the thriving Chicago Blues scene – add his skills on Banjo, and there’s a real fun side to the instrumental “Anni’s Orchard”.
If the sound is anything but modern, then the lyrics are contemporary. “Like A Fool” sees Bergman at her most lovelorn, but “Need Your Love” – again with a mighty banjo part – is the counterbalance from the male side.
“Baby It Ain’t You” sees the bass to the fore, and benefits from the stripped-down feel as whoever has broken Bergman’s heart probably wishes they hadn’t done so.
The blues is front and centre of “Corn Liquor” which could have come straight off the “O Brother Where Art Thou?” soundtrack, and there is a downbeat, lovelorn feel about “Good Woman” that makes it a real high point.
“Keep Me Waiting” is an album that – although made by an acoustic duo – refuses to be tied down to one sound. “Next Train Home” brings a jazz type vibe, while “Same For Me” is a more light and airy affair.
Ending with the title track, which is the glorious sound of the band really letting their hair down, the really exciting thing about Big Sadie, is that the fact that these songs have been recorded live will undoubtedly mean that they will evolve as time passes and they are played for people. Where they go will be interesting to see.
For now though, although “Keep Me Waiting” is aptly named given how long it took the two to get together, it can be placed in the file marked patience is a virtue.
Rating 8/10
