O'Leary & Lalli
O'Leary & Lalli
Smileyface Records
2000
6 tracks
The liner notes reveal that the six songs on this release were all written by John O'Leary. Without that knowledge, a listener could easily think most were traditional folk songs of the Caribbean and the others reasonably contemporary compositions in the same vein. While they have a certain timeless appeal, these songs have an ambience that takes one back to the late Fifties and early Sixties.
These are clean songs with uncluttered sound where every note comes through clearly and with clean uncluttered lyrics that complement the simple arrangements of the melodies. This sound can only come from a studio, yet it somehow evokes some of the better live recordings made a half-century ago of urban folk musicians performing in clubs and coffee houses.
The "programmer notes" sent along with this release describe the first track as "a Jimmy Buffet-esque party tune" and the intro and rhythm reflect a conscious effort in that direction. With its bright calypso rhythm and faux rural subject matter, this song sounds even more like some of the popular Jamaican folk songs released by Harry Belafonte in the Fifties.
The well-wrought harmonies in these songs take one back to the days of the Limeliters, The Brothers Four, and even the less rock and roll side of The Beach Boys. As much as story and melody, these songs are about vocal craftsmanship with fine harmonies not just by lead singer O'Leary and primary back-up singer Lalli but also by Anna Huckabee Tull and Meryl Press who lend a touch of class to the songs on which they appear.
If this is folk music, it's not the music of country folk so much as it is the urbanized folk music so popular on city radio broadcasts a half-century ago. It's folk music with all the rough edges polished off and the story themes homogenized and pasteurized for comfort, less Carter Family than The Kingston Trio. It's quiet, easy to hear music that offers no threat to the listener.
The one disappointment in this release is that the set ends so quickly. Just as you settle into the easy chair with a fresh glass of wine, the last of the six songs comes softly to an end and you're left longing for just a little bit more. Perhaps the next O'Leary and Lalli release will have a greater selection of songs to carry the listener forward.
Discover the fun world of O'Leary & Lalli and listen to clips of five of the songs on O'Leary & Lalli, including a full length "Chicken Today, Feathers Tomorrow" mp3 at olearyandlalli.com.
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Review written: March 6, 2005
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