My Girl The River is creating a bit of a stir on the Americana front. After their sterling debut album, comes another little gem 'Cardinal in the Snow'. The visit of a red cardinal, or redbird, is said to be a manifest visit of a lost loved one. Obviously it’s a songbird, and the analogy of standing out from the crowd runs to Kris Wilkinson Hughes' sweet dulcet, but at times tough and sultry vocals; a cut above many on the current scene.
Joined by her life partner, Joe Hughes, and occasionally their daughter Ruby, the band makes a sound steeped in the deep south of the United States of America. It’s something of a surprise to find the couple has been based in Bedford, England for over 18 years.
‘Cardinal in the Snow’ is a collection with love songs aplenty but also of songs of loss and hope. From the sultry, soft blues shuffle of ‘Christmas in July’ to the bawdy, double-entendre filled ‘Hot Chicken’, the tempo and mood are ever-changing.
You touch my lips with your fingertips. I taste something hot. Is that all you got? Add a little spice to make it taste so nice. Do you want to try some of my hot chicken?
‘Something in the Water’ and ‘Try’ are songs that will stand the test of time but ‘You Do Not Deserve My Tears’ is the song I think a lot of people will associate with most. A love gone wrong and the singer has a realisation that tears are a precious commodity and really not to be spent on someone that causes hurt. Tears are for people that you love.
Turning my back. Walking away. This is the last time you make me cry. Silent attack. What did I say? I am so tired of wondering why. With each step, I say under my breath: “You do not deserve my tears. They are reserved for those who love me”.
The essence of such writing is to take a personal experience and put lyrics to the incident that cries emotion. It becomes universal and yet can hit one on a very personal level.
Produced by the seemingly ubiquitous Neilson Hubbard – fresh from helming projects by Ben Glover, Orphan Brigade, Mary Gauthier, and Amy Speace, ‘Cardinal in the Snow’ is a tonic and comfort, one you will return to again and again.