The Spur. Joan Shelley

The Spur is Joan Shelley's, from Kentucky, sixth album (Wikipidea counts to nine though). You could not find her on this blog but today that has changed. The Spur is the kind of album one undergoes, in the positive sense. The music meanders forward ever so slowly, like a brook in the forest moving from small bend to the next. Water trickling, without a hurry but ever, no matter how slightly, downward. Joan Shelley takes her time to present her new songs and invites you to spend time, and well-spent it is, with her.

Joan Shelley's music is somewhere on the verge of folk music, with a little alt.americana and roots, a term that people use but for me has not much meaning. A singer-songwriter with a modestly playing band behind her is another description. It sets the scene for you. Where the atmosphere is concerned I'm immediately thinking of her Canadian colleague Lauren Mann. The music has the same intimacy for me.

Up front on The Spur is Joan Shelley's voice, harmonising with herself here and there. This voice has a depth and a height going on at the same time and is extremely pleasant to listen to. She sings in a folk style, even that formal way U.K. folkies of old used to sing. Especially so in the duet with Bill Callahan, 'Amberlit Morning'. His low voice underscoring Shelley's formality. Either her voice will draw you into The Spur or the album is without a chance to impress.

Promo photo: Mickie Winters

Right behind that voice is the lead acoustic guitar. Its high(er) notes playing slow riffs that define an important part of the songs. All behind that guitar is meant to fill up the sound. Soft percussion, an unobtrusive bass and electric guitar. Yes, a soft solo may come by. This is nearly all, but expect a few other instruments here and there; it is enough. The soft country "rocker" 'Like The Thunder" is almost a scare when it starts after the ultra soft 'Amberlit Morning'.

With twelve songs the album is exactly right. Less would have made me think, why is it over?, and longer might have become too much of a good thing. Joan Shelley provides an atmosphere that is pleasant to be a part of for a while. The Spur simply is a delight to listen to and simply enough. What else does one need (to do) in such a moment?

Finally, if you like The Spur, give Lauren Mann's 'Memory & Desire' a chance. You ought not to be disappointed.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order The Spur here:

https://joanshelley.bandcamp.com/album/the-spur