Claude Carmichael turns a remarkable career in the New York music scene into a deeply personal debut on Tennessee Hill. A veteran session singer and film music producer whose credits include work with Billy Joel, the Grateful Dead, and Paul McCartney, Carmichael brings seasoned musicianship to this collection of original songs. Recorded with Grammy-winning engineer and producer Casey Wasner at Purple House Studio in Leipers Fork, the album balances honky-tonk heartache on “Full Time Heartache” with the tenderness of “Precious One.” At its zenith point, the release captures Carmichael’s transition from traveler to Tennessean, finding a place that finally feels like home.
URL: https://www.claudecarmichael.com/
The songs on Tennessee Hill start off with “Bottom Of A Well” which takes a page from Leon Russell’s humor on “Tightrope,” which according to Carmichael is the main influence of the song, and anyone who knows the artist in question can tell by just one listen to it. Russell’s influence is all over it and that’s a good thing. Carmichael’s style, color, and phrasing are complementary to the legend without question. If you’re a real music fan with any opinion of Russell, you can’t help but notice the influence and love it.
The title track follows; “Tennessee Hill” is a slow burning ballad with a storytelling vibe, as it paces with the best of them. The genuine feel to the song brings Carmichael home to his element at one glance of the moon, and you just know it’s going to be a good release by the time this finishes with a strong real music feel. “Full Time Heartache” comes next, with more energy applied to a song with Travis Toy providing steel guitar. It works wonders, as expected. Don’t miss one of the more energetic tracks on the whole great platter.
“Instead of Me” keeps the tempo in line for another excellent song featuring Carmichael’s brilliant songwriting, which consistently delivers on Tennessee Hill. The songwriting alone leaves compliments at the doorstep. It goes very well in succession with the following track full of the genuine loveliness of “Sonia Lee.” I really like this number the most, as it contains everything Carmichael is good for on his debut outing, including the soothing instrumentation. How anyone wouldn’t find this infectious, would simply baffle me.
“Too Many Yankees (Bless Their Hearts)” keeps the standard up in every department, starting with the lyrics and vocal melody, and rounding out with the steel guitar that almost dominates, if not for the infectious chorus from Carmichal. This is somewhat of a treat, but it’s also predictable after so many treats coming before it. And this is also where Carmichael exhibits poetry, and a nod to soulful singers like Chris Rea. “Precious One” also holds a place for me as well, dedicated to his daughter. in conclusion; Tennessee Hill ends on a somber note with “The Last Lullaby” turning in an Americana ballad with robust strings featured throughout, almost leaving with a strong folk appeal, mixed with a singalong touch. This isn’t easy to pull off, but Carmichael aces it with sheer conviction.
Chadwick Easton