was true is a story full of imagery and folklore. it is a roadmap to personal freedom.
so many people overlook the raw beauty in a simplicity. mr. chipper thompson has mastered the craft of uncomplicated music with mind-blowing lyrics sung in a deep, raspy voice (in many songs) contrasted against the angelic chiming of backup vocals provided by kim treiber, kate mann, and kirry nelson. “i can talk to crows”, the second track on the album, is one of the most vivid pieces of poetry sung from his guts in perfect contrast on top of a guitar, bits of mandolin and handclapping percussions. “kim’s lullaby” track 3 is a tear jerking love song against a soft melody of string instruments. “follow me down” track 4 and “hollar of leaning trees” track 6, again, are goosebump inciting poems against a backdrop of haunting chords.
“the union dues blues” epitomizes appalachian economics. there are still many places where folks don’t get paid in money, they instead get credits at the company store insuring servitude to the company. the alternative to that being the unions who will fight for pay, but primarily so they can get their cut. what happens when you don’t pay your union dues? mr. chipper thompson tells the truth “son, you’ll get blown away, away...son, you’ll get blown away”.
there is a deep americana rocknroll feel to some of the songs. “ falling off the world” opens the album up with the tale of movement and disgust for self and those around you. it’s the song of the vagabond tired of moving, tired of life being a series of whitewashed scenery moving passed exhausted eyes and the loathing of whoever is making that trek with you. it is classic, simple and exhilarating.
“stargazer” is a purely instrumental piece. when listening to this song, i envision a mother humming it softly into the ears of a baby who can find nothing closer to perfection than the sound of momma’s voice. you can almost hear the rocking chair against the floor of the front porch in the cool night. the song is clean and innocent and just astoundingly beautiful.
“edge of the earth” is literally a toe-tapping song full of hope, drinking and living. it so clearly describes a scene of “this might be the last of my days, but life is worth living, so i am getting on a boat and i might fall of the edge of the earth but let’s get drunk now!” very much a pure, fun, adventurous irish-drinking song.
i love this album! it is clean, fun, tearjerking and true. it embodies a beautiful culture full of lore, legend, freedom and secrecy. he stayed true to the code of the mountains without apology.
for examples of o how i wish my bad heart was true or even better to purchase this amazing album head over to:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/chipperthompson4
this is the first album i have bought in decades, and it’s worth it! these people are living off their art and in order for them to continue to do amazing work, fork over the ten bucks-it’s worth it!!!!