CD
review ........................................................................
|
|
John Gorka's understated baritone nicely complements the narrative folk songs that he has devoted his two-decade career to performing. His style is modest and conversational, making his latest studio album, "So Dark You See," sound like mellow bedtime stories. At their best, Gorka's narratives pack evocative emotions into simple stories: "Ignorance & Privilege" describes a childhood of unearned freedoms, while the protagonist in "Whole Wide World" wrestles with leaving home to seek opportunities. "Mr. Chambers" ends a few verses too soon and leaves too many unanswered questions, but in doing so, Gorka captures the awkwardness of talking to an unrequited crush, which he describes in the song's last stanza. Gorka's voice tends toward moments of monotony, but he avoids that pitfall with two finger-picked instrumental tracks, "Fret One" and "Fret Not," and he augments his vocals on several songs with the harmonies of fellow folk singers Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson. Kaplansky adds a haunting somberness to the dejected "Night Into Day," the highlight of the album. -- Catherine P. Lewis Catherine P. Lewis |