Cary Morin review…October 24, 2018….

CARY MORIN

WHEN I RISE

MAPLE STREET MUSIC

WHEN I RISE–LET ME HEAR THE MUSIC–SOMETIMES–DIRE WOLF–MY MEMORIES OF YOU–JUG IN THE WATER–DEVOTED ONE–LITTLE MARTHA/THE LAST PINT–LAY BABY LAY–CARMELA MARIE–WE USED TO BE–JUG IN THE WATER (ACOUSTIC)

Growing up in Montana in the Seventies, Cary Morin listened to the popular songs of the day on radio, or whatever vinyl his folks played.  As he got older, he became proficient on piano, and a Doug Kershaw album led him to take up the fiddle!  Soon, he developed a passion for the Alan Lomax primitive recordings of the 1940’s, including prison chain-gang songs, country blues, field hollers, and the like.  Those raw, powerful influences shape his latest release, “When I Rise,” for Maple Street Music.

The haunting title cut leads off, as our hero chooses to run rather than face the punishment for a crime he did not commit.  Lionel Young’s fiddle and Dexter Payne’s harp add to the authenticity here, after “another life is done.”  Dexter is on the clarinet in the uplifting ode to that time when “my time here on Earth is done,” “Let Me Hear The Music.”  The upbeat delivery and jazzy instrumentation make this one of our favorites.

“Jug In The Water,” presented here in both an electric and acoustic version (the latter closes the set), is another favorite, as it is borne of classic blues.  This tune embodies the struggles of a man trying to hustle a living however he can to feed his family.  Cary offers up a fine, fingerpicked version of “Little Martha,” which cleverly segues’ into “The Last Pint,” that makes way for another Allman-influenced cut, “Carmela Marie,” with excellent piano from Jason Larson.

A Crow tribal member, Cary Morin has won numerous awards for his works, including a 2018 Native Arts And Cultures Fellowship, a 2018 Independent Music Award for his 2017 release, “Cradle To The Grave,” as well as a host of other accolades.  The rich heritage of his many, varied influences—Native American, blues, folk, jazz, jam band, and more–make “When I Rise” an ambitious offering, indeed!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.