OK. We're going to have to declare a moratorium on talented youngsters. From now on, I don't want to hear Christmas music from anybody younger than me. Eric Clapton, Mickey Dolenz, step right up; everybody else... Ah, who am I kidding. Age is irrelevant; I never had any musical talent. Rhyan Sinclair is 17 years old and hardly a newcomer. Around the age she was putting out her first album, the music teacher at my school was begging my mother to convince me to drop out of his class. "Please. Don't let your son ever play an instrument ever again." True story.
Rhyan Sinclair is from Lexington, Kentucky. I know some people have pre-conceptions about the favored music in Kentucky. I've been to Kentucky once in my life and the thing that surprised me most was the diversity of music. Rhyan took in all of these sounds--Blues, Country, Rock, Jazz, and more--and put together her first band at the age of 11, a band that fused all those sounds into one. Again, dispense with any pre-conceptions, if you're thinking a band led by an 11 year old is "cute" or "precious". All The Little Pieces was a serious Indie Alternative bands with an amazing and original sound and a large following that stretched from the deep South to the Mid-West, at least. Rhyan was the vocalist and primary songwriter for the critically acclaimed and award winning group and their albums sound remarkable. And just a tip, fairly late in the game, a few of the songs on their last record, "The Legend of Lavinia Fisher" would sound great on your Halloween head-tape (the album was inspired by tales of America's first female serial killer).
As time went on, Rhyan found herself drawn, more and more, to Country and Americana music. In particular, the 1987 album "Trio" by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton was hugely influential. Some members of the band resisted the musical shift and All The Little Pieces soon dissolved. Sometimes, what looks like the end of a road is simply the beginning of a new one and Rhyan, from whom songs flow like a mighty river, embarked on a solo career. Her first record under her own name, "Barnstormer", released earlier this year, is a testament to Rhyan's skills as a songwriter and artist. The depth and range would be remarkable from someone more than twice her age. Musically, as a whole, it more than holds it's own next to my favorites from Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris. Let's put it this way, if you hadn't heard of Rhyan Sinclair before now, you're going to be hearing a lot from and about her from now on. (Personal favorites, fwiw, "Selfishly, Heartlessly", "Retrograde", "The Sad Song" and, I can't help it, I'm an absolute sucker for "Skeleton Sam").
Rhyan Sinclair is from Lexington, Kentucky. I know some people have pre-conceptions about the favored music in Kentucky. I've been to Kentucky once in my life and the thing that surprised me most was the diversity of music. Rhyan took in all of these sounds--Blues, Country, Rock, Jazz, and more--and put together her first band at the age of 11, a band that fused all those sounds into one. Again, dispense with any pre-conceptions, if you're thinking a band led by an 11 year old is "cute" or "precious". All The Little Pieces was a serious Indie Alternative bands with an amazing and original sound and a large following that stretched from the deep South to the Mid-West, at least. Rhyan was the vocalist and primary songwriter for the critically acclaimed and award winning group and their albums sound remarkable. And just a tip, fairly late in the game, a few of the songs on their last record, "The Legend of Lavinia Fisher" would sound great on your Halloween head-tape (the album was inspired by tales of America's first female serial killer).
As time went on, Rhyan found herself drawn, more and more, to Country and Americana music. In particular, the 1987 album "Trio" by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton was hugely influential. Some members of the band resisted the musical shift and All The Little Pieces soon dissolved. Sometimes, what looks like the end of a road is simply the beginning of a new one and Rhyan, from whom songs flow like a mighty river, embarked on a solo career. Her first record under her own name, "Barnstormer", released earlier this year, is a testament to Rhyan's skills as a songwriter and artist. The depth and range would be remarkable from someone more than twice her age. Musically, as a whole, it more than holds it's own next to my favorites from Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris. Let's put it this way, if you hadn't heard of Rhyan Sinclair before now, you're going to be hearing a lot from and about her from now on. (Personal favorites, fwiw, "Selfishly, Heartlessly", "Retrograde", "The Sad Song" and, I can't help it, I'm an absolute sucker for "Skeleton Sam").
Rhyan's latest project--a labor of love--is the Christmas record "Marshmallow World" and it officially drops November 2. Let's have a listen, shall we?
I'll tell you what I absolutely love about that version of "What Christmas Means To Me" from Rhyan Sinclair. It perfectly marries Soul and Americana to the point that you don't even think of them as being different genres. It's just music (and, in a utopian world, that's how we'd hear everything).
"Marshmallow World" is a 6-song EP and something Rhyan has apparently been wanting to do.
"Marshmallow World" is a 6-song EP and something Rhyan has apparently been wanting to do.
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1. Santa How You Gettin' in My House? 2. Let the Light In (In the Name of Christmas) 3. Winter Wonderland / Marshmallow World 4. What Christmas Means to Me 5. Please Come Home for Christmas 6. O Come, O Come Emmanuel |
There are only two originals on "Marshmallow World", but Rhyan doesn't waste them. "Santa How You Gettin' In My House" is a fun old-time Country number, the kind you could hear Buck Owens or George Jones singing, the kind that would fit right in with the songs on Rhino's 1988 comp "Hillbilly Holiday".
On the entire other end of the spectrum is "Let The Light In (In The Name of Christmas)". Dang, I don't even know how to put this. Let's try it this way. How much are you looking forward to your family gatherings this holiday season? We aren't just divided as a country; as you no doubt know well, our very families are just as divided. So Rhyan pleads,
On the entire other end of the spectrum is "Let The Light In (In The Name of Christmas)". Dang, I don't even know how to put this. Let's try it this way. How much are you looking forward to your family gatherings this holiday season? We aren't just divided as a country; as you no doubt know well, our very families are just as divided. So Rhyan pleads,
Can't we set aside our differences
in the name of Christmas
in the name of something bigger than us
in the name of Christmas
I don't have the answers but I know
we gotta do something
to come together and let go...
grant each other pardon.
in the name of Christmas
in the name of something bigger than us
in the name of Christmas
I don't have the answers but I know
we gotta do something
to come together and let go...
grant each other pardon.
I don't know whether Rhyan has wisdom beyond her years or whether we need to look to 17 year olds as the last bastion of reason. Either way, "Let The Light In" is supremely affecting. And perhaps it should be required listening before anybody says anything this Christmas. (To be on the safe side, start playing it on a loop before election day.)
Since the rest of the songs on "Marshmallow World" are covers, what we mostly have to evaluate are the arrangements. And, surprise, Rhyan does all of her own arrangements. We've already talked about Motown meets Mountain Music. The medley of "Winter Wonderland" and "Marshmallow World" is fairly straight forward, though the instrumentation and performance are excellent (the word "heartfelt" comes to mind). Do you know how many versions of "Please Come Home For Christmas" I've heard? Rhyan makes the song sound fresh and new. Nuff said. I was a tad worried at the beginning of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" as it starts off with that "voice in the cathedral" sound I've heard a million times. But then the prairie wind blows in and we're treated to a remarkable, almost mournful, Americana walk through the dust bowl, in a way that mirrors a personal search for spiritual salvation after a life of tribulation. Spirituality aside, the song just sounds better to me with banjo and fiddle. Throughout both "Marshmallow World" and "Barnstormer", I was really happy to find that Rhyan didn't just "lose" all those other sounds and influences; you can feel their continued presence in her music, even as she's moved in a more Americana direction. I think I've already said as much, but this young woman is really good.
"Marshmallow World" by Rhyan Sinclair arrives November 2. There will be hard copy CDs at live shows and online, though I don't have a direct link just yet. I'm sure they'll be at Rhyan's web store and, while I don't know for sure, I suspect they'll be on Amazon (I came across a listing that said "not available" that then re-directed me to the digital). But, hey, I know a way you can get the CD for sure. From now until October 31st, order "The Legend of Lavinia Fisher" on vinyl or CD from Rhyan's web store and you'll get a copy of the "Marshmallow World" CD for FREE! Can't beat that. Get "Barnstormer" while you're there; it will not disappoint. Downloads will be available at the usual hot spots.
Now, if you'll indulge me... What the heck, it's almost Halloween. And I just love every little thing about this song...the rattling bones, the old school backing vocals, everything, every little touch, everything. Let's give a listen to "Skeleton Sam".
Since the rest of the songs on "Marshmallow World" are covers, what we mostly have to evaluate are the arrangements. And, surprise, Rhyan does all of her own arrangements. We've already talked about Motown meets Mountain Music. The medley of "Winter Wonderland" and "Marshmallow World" is fairly straight forward, though the instrumentation and performance are excellent (the word "heartfelt" comes to mind). Do you know how many versions of "Please Come Home For Christmas" I've heard? Rhyan makes the song sound fresh and new. Nuff said. I was a tad worried at the beginning of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" as it starts off with that "voice in the cathedral" sound I've heard a million times. But then the prairie wind blows in and we're treated to a remarkable, almost mournful, Americana walk through the dust bowl, in a way that mirrors a personal search for spiritual salvation after a life of tribulation. Spirituality aside, the song just sounds better to me with banjo and fiddle. Throughout both "Marshmallow World" and "Barnstormer", I was really happy to find that Rhyan didn't just "lose" all those other sounds and influences; you can feel their continued presence in her music, even as she's moved in a more Americana direction. I think I've already said as much, but this young woman is really good.
"Marshmallow World" by Rhyan Sinclair arrives November 2. There will be hard copy CDs at live shows and online, though I don't have a direct link just yet. I'm sure they'll be at Rhyan's web store and, while I don't know for sure, I suspect they'll be on Amazon (I came across a listing that said "not available" that then re-directed me to the digital). But, hey, I know a way you can get the CD for sure. From now until October 31st, order "The Legend of Lavinia Fisher" on vinyl or CD from Rhyan's web store and you'll get a copy of the "Marshmallow World" CD for FREE! Can't beat that. Get "Barnstormer" while you're there; it will not disappoint. Downloads will be available at the usual hot spots.
Now, if you'll indulge me... What the heck, it's almost Halloween. And I just love every little thing about this song...the rattling bones, the old school backing vocals, everything, every little touch, everything. Let's give a listen to "Skeleton Sam".
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