Harmony Sovereign – Michael Kelsh
Last night and this morning I spent so time reviewing both the Roots Music Roots charts and the Euro-Americana Chart. I was looking for some musicians that were new to me. I found several names that interested me. However, when I played a few minutes of their albums , only a couple of them really caught my fancy. This morning though one really stood out. The album was Harmony Sovereign by Michael Kelsh.
Now it may be incorrect to say that I have never heard music from Michael Kelsh. That’s because he was a founder and member for many years of the band Southern Culture on the Skids. And one of their CDs is even in my music library.
Since leaving SCOTS Michael has recorded three solo albums. He has also opened for and toured with the likes of
Warren Zevon, Richard Thompson, Doc and Merle Watson, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Steve Forbert, Eric Andersen, Sleepy Labeef, Alex Chilton and NRBQ.
Kelsh moved to Nasshville in 1993 and began writing for Pickard Mountain Publishing, Not Stock Music (EMI), Warner-Chapell Publishing He also la fed an artist development deal.
As a result he began touring, writing, recording, and performing with many of his heroes including:
Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Joy Lynn White, The Sky Kings, Bobbie Cryner, Jack Sundrud, Linda Hargrove, Charles John Quarto, Danny Flowers, George Hamilton IV and V, John Cowan, Poco, Rusty Young, Bill Lloyd, Hugh Moffitt, Bonnie Bramlett, Michael Rhodes, Duane Jarvis, Billy Block, Robert Reynolds, Stu Cole, Cidny Bullens, Sam Baker, Marcus Hummon, Walt Wilkins, and others.
About Harmony Sovereign
Kelsh says this about Harmony Sovereign;
‘Harmony Sovereign‘ is my latest recording, graced by the talents of Jack Sundrud, Bill Halverson, Siobhan Kennedy, Tammy Rogers, Paul Griffith, John Cowan, Ray Kennedy and Bob Delevante. Halverson narrowed the field to 16 songs and sequenced them.
I listened to several of the tracks this morning but I haven’t made it through the whole album yet. But based on what I’ve heard so far, I think I will be pleased with the remainder of the album.
From CDBaby
Tender, lyrical Americana folk-rock songs, simply presented. Michael Kelsh’s songs are infused with a plaintiveness and poetry that draws the listener in.
While Steve Earle says….
“Michael Kelsh sings in a whisper that makes you want to listen more closely, so you can divine the secret – his songs.” – Steve Earle
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Michael Kelsh
Artist’s Website
CDBaby
Amazon
Here is “Belfast” one of my favorites from Harmony Sovereign
