But the novelty tag rarely sticks to a group with undeniable talent and, to paraphrase Carl Spackler, they�ve got that going for them.
Their 2005 self titled debut on Sugar Hill Records was a critical success and came forth with a fully formed sound which, much as that albums producer Bela Fleck continues to do, stretched the boundaries of folk and bluegrass while continuing to cast an eye toward the past acknowledging the debt they owe it. Their 2003 independent release, Your Daughters and Your Sons, was released in the States earlier this year and showed that, while they continue to progress and grow, they haven�t strayed far from their beginnings.
The songs that make up Migrations continue on that path mixing in traditionals, contemporary songs and a few originals. Guided by Tim O�Brien, another musician known for his acoustic music prowess, and Gary Paczosa, The Duhks shrug off the sophomore slump with an eclectic and hardy mix.
�Ol� Cook Pot� kicks the album off with a �20�s hot jazz sounding mix as vocalist Jessee Havey swoops in digging up vocal gravel on her way. Topically the song is about a single mother and her family who has nothing and don�t expect to any time soon. Tracy Chapmans� �Mountains O� Things� continues the theme with the protagonist rising from having nothing, as in the first song, to having a �mountain o� things� but at the expense of others. It is this melding of topical social issues delivered by Havey�s soulful voice, backed by the eclectic instrumentation that brings The Duhks to lead the pack of young acoustic groups.
The third track, and perhaps my favorite on the album, is �Heaven�s My Home� written by Nashville songwriter Katie Herzig. The music is soft and giving as a showcase for Herzig�s lyrics and melody interpreted deftly by Havey. Fiddler Tania Elizabeth�s haunting lines underscore the hopefully yet somber lyrics: �Life�s hard, I�ve always known that/I�ve never been handed no welcome mat/When I die, please don�t cry/�Cause Heaven�s my home anyhow.�
�The Fox and the Bee,� the first of two medleys included on the album, brings the band center stage for an upbeat instrumental showcasing Elizabeth�s fiddle as the lead melodic instrument. The medley includes �The Fox and The Bee� co-written by Elizabeth and guitarist Jordan McConnell, �Myriam�s� written by Elizabeth and �Ridee,� a traditional Breton tune. �Down to the River/Jeb�s Tune� is a Cajun tune by Zydeco accordionist Keith Frank coupled with a fiddle tune by Jeb Puryear. The song features new lyrics written by band founder Leonard Podolak, who also lends lead vocals to the track. The song retains it�s Louisiana flavoring complete with French lyrics, although probably more French Canadian than Cajun, but I don�t speak either, so you can decide.
�Who Will Take My Place� takes a somber look at the effects of war on the home front as Havey wonders, �when my words won�t matter anymore/who will take my place.� From this thought provoking song we go into a traditional arranged by The Duhks with additional lyrics from O�Brien, �Moses Don�t Get Lost.� The song begins slowly before the band picks up with five part harmony and choir-like rounds backed only by a lone drum of Scott Senior.
The Duhks Celtic influences begin to shine through strongly on �Three Fishers� (featuring Elizabeth on lead vocals) and the rousing instrumental �Domino Party!� �Domino Party!� is a medley of four tunes written by Podolak and Elizabeth: �Laine�s Jig,� �Close to the Floor,� �The Domino Party� and �The Musical Family.� The instrumentals included on the album serve as a fantastic showcase for the groups� writing as well as showing that their instrumental skills are as strong as any group recording today with perhaps a greater range than most.
Havey pens the most introspective song on the album with �Out of the Rain� which exhibits a strong melody and a showcase for Banjoist Leonard Podolak. The album closes with �Turtle Dove,� a traditional filled with Biblical allusions which points toward a hope in things to come. And the future looks promising for The Duhks as they continue to tour and make fans both on a grassroots level and those within the industry.
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