Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road are one of those unique musical pairings where it truly sounds meant to be. The quintet configuration of Carolina Road complements Jordan’s vocal and mandolin contributions as naturally as breathing. Jordan’s ability to seamlessly incorporate her stylistic strengths into Carolina Road testifies to the thoroughly realized relationship shared by these performers. “Keepers of the Flame”, written by David Stewart, and included on their new album Country Grass II, embodies the combined unit’s guiding principles and has an almost reverential quality.
Jordan and her Carolina Road cohorts are up to the challenge. Their joint efforts concoct a sturdy and flawlessly executed arrangement that suits the lyrical content. Guitarist and lead vocalist Allen Dyer delivers in his significant role. The singing conveys easy-going storytelling authority, and scattering well-timed vocal harmonies throughout the song further deepens the cut’s effectiveness. Low-key dramatic possibilities are part of the song’s charm. Jordan and Carolina Road bring those possibilities to life.
However, they never reduce “Keepers of the Flame” to kitsch. The underlying seriousness of intent powering this song could balloon and crash in the hands of lesser interpreters. Jordan and Carolina Road invest a thoughtful amount of gravitas into their performance. It accentuates the supposed specialness of the moment. “Keepers of the Flame” isn’t about some girl who did the songwriter wrong, the perils of alcohol, or the workingman’s struggle. Instead, it purports to exalt the path Stewart chose when dedicating himself to his chosen craft.
Delivering a mission statement on that level in a brief amount of time takes skill. Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road are observant artists. “Keepers of the Flame” never sounds rushed or dispatched in a slapdash manner. Cool confidence pervades each second of the recording, and the production captures this studio moment with surprising vibrancy. Jordan and Carolina Road’s hard work results in a warm, inviting recording that holds up under repeated listens.
They aren’t aspiring to write and record disposable pop. They wrap themselves up in longstanding bluegrass tendencies. However, it isn’t mere regurgitation. Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road revamp a steady diet of bluegrass cliches with distinctive verve that readily separates them from the rabble. It’s recognizable, without question, but there’s an added spring in Jordan and Carolina Road’s musical step that helps them stand apart.
The sort of material they favor is another difference maker. Choosing a song such as this over likely myriad other potential picks strengthens our perception of Jordan and Carolina Road’s musical roles. They aren’t just song-and-dance men/women, grinning entertainers who peddle flash-in-the-pan relief. They are proponents of an ongoing tradition that fires their imagination and inspires them to create.
You can’t hardly have a finer direction than that.
Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road are veterans, without question, but their artistic future has never looked brighter. “Keepers of the Flame” makes it clear that they regard their purpose as far from fulfilled and are setting off deeper into this phase of their career with unquestionable clarity and vigor. Their new single “Keepers of the Flame” is a seminal work from this musical union.
Troy Johnstone