Various - Coal Country Music

  by Lisa Torem

published: 24 / 6 / 2010

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“Mountaintop removal is the most devastating peacetime activity in human history. In fact, if the destruction to our nation’s natural and cultural heritage were being perpetrated by a foreign power, it would be considered an act of war…” states American actor Woody Harrelson, on the inside of the 'Coal Country Music' compilation CD. Film-makers Phylis Geller and Mari-Lynn Evans, members of the Alliance for Appalachia, and almost 20 recording artists got together to create a moving soundscape defining the “environmental genocide” taking place in the US. The goal is to raise money and consciousness, while introducing roots music. (100 % of the proceeds from CD sales will go to the Alliance of Appalachia) to stop mountain removal. But, aside from the humanist elements, the album itself is worth a good listen. Commencing with the mournful horns of ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ by Cedar Hill Refugees with Ralph Stanley, the album features a number of sanguine tracks. Gillian Welch serves up plaintive vocals, and Celeste King utters, “just seems I’m in a hurry to find tomorrow/Somewhere out yonder that’s cool and green.” Jason Wilber sings the hypnotic ‘In Her Veins.’ “The flowers don’t grow unless she says that they can…” while, Tom T. Hall’s eloquent ‘I’m A Coal Mining Man’ sums up the heartache and frustration apparently facing those affected by mountaintop destruction. Against Flatt and Scruggs-like picking, he demands, “Hand me that guitar/Give me a pick/I think I’ve got something to say.” Public Outcry, in ‘Can’t Put It Back’ lay out the bleak future if nothing is done: “You see the corpse laid out before you…for a long time the coal was hidden/The mountain’s life surged through her veins/And then they tapped and drilled and blasted…” But, perhaps the most stirring track is ‘Appalachia.’ Diana Jones warns, “They’re tearing you apart/Your strong and steady heart can’t take the strain…” Schuyler Fisk offers a more Rickie Lee Jones-type of bop in (‘It’s A) Long Walk Home. Jean Ritchie’s searing voice shares acapella harmonies during ‘Now is the Cool of the Day.’ John Prine and Bonnie Raitt do a striking performance of his ‘Angel from Montgomery,’ thrusting lines like, “Dreams were thunder/Lightning was desire/This house would have burned down a long time ago…” Prine also sings, ‘Paradise’ and that passionate voice of his, a combination of Dylan and Springsteen, drives the thematic paradox full- tilt. Another American classic, now done-up in a more contemporary fashion, is Justin Townes Earl’s ‘Down in the Valley.’ Dynamic guitar-work and this performer’s low-down vocals bring new life to this basic ABA structure. This album is not only for a good cause, it yields music that feels roots-based, whole and honest. Some beautiful strumming, picking and violin appear amidst classics that are too good to be forgotten, and that come across as especially meaningful given the high stakes involved.

Track Listing:-

1 Cedar Hill Refugees, Ralph Stanley- Keys To The Kingdom
2 Gillian Welch- Acony Bell
3 Celeste Krenz- Big Coal River
4 Jason & The Scorchers- Beat On The Mountain
5 John Prine- Paradise
6 Kathy Mattea- Red Winged Blackbird
7 Justin Townes Earle-Down In The Valley
8 Jason Wilber- In Her Veins
9 Shirley Stewart Burns- Leave Those Mountains Down (Ode To The Mountains)
10 Natalie Merchant- Which Side Are You On?
11 Diana Jones- Appalachia
12 Tom T. Hall- I'm A Coal Mining Man
13 John Prine, Bonnie Raitt- Angel From Montgomery
14 Phylis Geller- Canary
15 Jean Ritchie- Now Is The Cool Of The Day
16 The Klezmatics- Heaven
17 Schuyler Fisk- (It's A) Long Walk Home
18 Public Outcry- Can't Put It Back
19 Willie Nelson- Blowin' In The Wind

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