John Lilly "Haunted Honky Tonk" (Indepent 2007)

Aptly titled work successfully conjures the spirit

One of the contributing pleasures to a love of Americana is its sense of history, as if the phantoms of a forgotten age are seeping out through the music. Thus, the title of this album possesses a knowing romanticism and it’s pleasing to discover that the music contained within does it justice. John Lilly edits a magazine devoted to ‘West Virginia traditional life’ and there is always a danger that the take of such enthusiasts on a genre will be overly desiccated, an act of lifeless preservation rather than celebration. Yet whilst there is certainly an air of fidelity here, it is never staid or sentimental.

The ghost of Hank Williams looms large throughout, with covers of songs by the man himself and Jimmie Rodgers barely distinguishable from the original material on show. Lilly’s voice, however, is most reminiscent of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, particularly his original work with the Flatlanders. It resonates beautifully over the stripped down backing, dominated primarily by acoustic guitar and fiddle with some fine harmony vocals from Ginny Hawker. The redoubtable Bill Kirchen adds electric twang to a couple of tracks but even these contributions are spare, allowing plenty of room for the songs to breathe.

Of course, the song-writing is more than fit to stand alone, each piece a lovingly crafted evocation brimming with melodic and lyrical integrity. The title track in particular is as atmospheric as you’d expect, lacking only a musical saw for full effect. Just once does Lilly falter, with the song ‘Roadkill,’ a witty lyric but which in this live take slips into self-indulgence. Certainly Lilly offers little in the way of radical innovation but it is difficult to conceive of another album which offers such profound authenticity and depth of feeling.

Date review added:  Friday, December 21, 2007
Reviewer:  Kai Roberts
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Related web link:  Artist's website