Mystery

Description

Mystery is a studio album by the American singer and songwriter Ron Moore, independently released on Airborn Records in 1998, distributed by Rustproof Records.

Unless your youth group or organization has sponsored one of his concerts, comedy or speaking engagements, chances are you’ve never heard of Ron Moore. Yet he has made nine independently-released albums. His latest, Mystery, is further proof that some of our best and most meaningful artists do their work in relative obscurity. There is nothing new or groundbreaking in Moore’s mix of acoustic folk blues rock, but there are many pleasant surprises that set him apart from the more pedestrian performers of this time-honored genre.

First of all, Moore’s talent as a song-writer is evident in eleven out of eleven songs on this disc. His lyrics are carefully and poetically constructed, consisting mostly of encouraging themes like the glories of the resurrection, missions work and the value of good-old fashioned friendship. Moore is a “missionary kid,” actively involved in worthy causes like World Vision, and an outspoken advocate of pro-life causes. Consequently, his songs bear many message-oriented motifs which are powerfully delivered, gratefully without resorting to an abundance of cliches or with heavy-handedness. A perfect example is «Let’s Go Shopping», which contrasts U.S. American consumerism and apathy with world problems such as the abortion epidemic:

They create God in their own image
Then start a war and blame it on religion
Genocide, earthquake, famine
Innocent children crying
Let’s go shopping
Let’s go to the malls
Let’s go shopping
Before the ax falls.

Something the author intends to be this obviously satirical is given a helping hand by smartly crafted pop sensibilities which help make the song more accessible and the message more palatable. The result is an album highlight worthy of thoughtful consideration and the repeat button. Even better is «Mary», which gives Jesus’ mother wonderful praise for her humble role as the God-bearer, and «Full Moon in Romania», with its lush harmonies warmly recalling moments in the mission fields of Eastern Europe.

Moore has clearly been refining his craft for years, and his solid 6-string acoustic guitar work testifies to his talent. Band-mate Colin Sapp offers a variety of well-played 12-string acoustic licks and all the electric guitar work; Randy Gancarz appears on most of the tracks as the bass player. Together, these three guitar players sound like they’ve been practicing and playing together for years. Maybe they have – regardless they sound great together. Even more delightful is the percussion work by John Cassidy who plucks and pounds everything from congas and bongos to didjeridoos and djembes. He also creates some unusual sounds, such as that of a cymbal dipped in a bathtub while ringing.

Collectively, the music most recalls the earliest works from folk rockers like Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor, America, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, and Bruce Cockburn. This is due largely to the beautiful interplay of the melodies and harmonies with the gentle strumming and eclectic percussion, and is most eloquently executed on the mellower songs collected in the album’s center. You might call this retro classic folk rock verging on alternative edginess, and a welcome return to musical traditions less commonly visited these days. Or you could just appreciate this diverse collection for its pleasant melancholy vibes, nearly alternative luxurious wakes of sound, rich harmonies and poetic imagery.

And that’s only half of the album! The other half is injected with gobs of joy and healthy whimsy. Moore is also possessed with an incurable case of the “happies,” demonstrated in a number of silly songs like «The Wrangler» and «Kooties»:

Kooties, you’ve got kooties
Kooties all over you
Kooties, tiny kooties
Kooties, crawlin’ over you.

A market-savvy producer would take Ron Moore’s vibrancy and turn it into a drab CCM vanilla. Gratefully, he is allowed to be himself here, whether invoking elegant moods, encouraging or rebuking the saints, or just having a bit of playful fun. Let’s hope he delivers nine more albums with his delightfully retro sound and excessive joy intact. [Steven Stuart Baldwin, The Phantom Tollbooth, 1/21/99]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/mystery/1560843840)

CD tracklist:

01. Horseshoe Bay – 4:33
02. Let’s Go Shopping – 3:09
03. The Wrangler – 2:59
04. Storm – 3:39
05. Full Moon In Romania – 3:06
06. Mary – 3:15
07. Friends Of Mine – 3:25
08. For The Bride – 4:33
09. The Sun Is Up – 3:08
10. Kooties ( cooties ) – 3:39
11. Jamie’s Blues – 8:39
12. Window On The Wall – 2:36

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://ronmooremusic.bandcamp.com/album/mystery