Record Review - 3 July 14 2005

Though Stacey Earle is most often referenced as the younger sister of outspoken singer/songwriter Steve, the younger Earle’s singing/songwriting capabilities are nothing to gloss over. With modern country stars shilling glitz and patriotism, Earle and husband Mark Stuart create the kind of smart, intimate, lived-in version of Americana that’s an endangered pleasure these days.

Their third album together, S&M Communion Bread, seamlessly blends folk, country and a hint of gospel. “The Old Watch” is a great tearjerker sung by Stuart in which an old friend goes off to war, leaving behind his cherished timepiece. “Up In Annie’s Room” is a stomping, folk/bluegrass tune in the vein of Billy Bragg and Wilco’s Mermaid Avenue lot, while “Around the Back” is a sly, suggestive blues song reminiscent of elder Earle mentor Townes Van Zandt.

Many of these songs don’t so much spell out religion or spirituality as they simply hearken back to a time when weekend radio programs were a platform for both the country’s Bible-toters and hell-raisers. Appropriate, then, that the album ends with an a cappella rendition of “The Old Gospel Ship,” Earle and Stuart’s haggard voices belting out the Appalachian standard.

Due to its limited availability on small indie Funzalo, S&M Communion Bread will have to be sought out by those who easily obtained a copy of (Steve’s) Transcendental Blues or The Mountain. It’s well worth the effort, however, for this most rewarding listen.??