The Haints Old Time String Band “Shout Monah” (Independent, 2009)

American traditional music as it should be

My, but the heart sinks when yet another CD from a band playing old-timey, Americana folk, traditional, whatever music pops through the letter box. There is just so much of this stuff about, all well played and well produced but by and large about as interesting and engaging as a public reading of the minutes of the European Union committee on the organisation of fruit and vegetable markets. In French. When you can’t speak French. Fortunately The Haints go a long way to bucking the trend and reaffirming ones faith and belief.

First off, yes they can all play but their music isn’t about flash and chops. Rather their sound is delicate and subtle, the playing in the service of the song rather than the other way around. Next up, they know their music. With one exception the album is completely traditional (provided we can stretch that definition a little to include a period as recent as the 1920s) and the choices are immaculate. Lastly and most importantly, this is music that has soul. “Lowe Bonnie”, based on the Child Ballad “Young Hunting” (and folkies will spot the resemblance immediately) and the primitive instrumental “Old Christmas Morning” are perhaps the standouts but even the over-exposed “Knoxville Rag” takes on new life in The Haints caring hands. The playing is simpatico, rich and full of nuance while the vocals, particularly the harmonies on the likes of “Riley The Furniture Man” and “Bob McKinney” (where Pharis Romero is a dead ringer for Gillian Welch) are simply beautiful.

Quite simply, this is what American traditional music should sound like. Not qualifications, no ifs, no buts, it just is.

Date review added:  Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Reviewer:  Jeremy Searle
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Related web link:  Artist website