Description
Live Simple is the sophomore album by the American folkrock duo Kerosene Halo featuring Derri Daugherty (The Choir, Lost Dogs) and Michael Roe (The 77s, Lost Dogs), independently released on Lo-Fidelity Records in July 2016. It is an album of cover songs commissioned by fans during the House On Fire Kickstarter campaign for Michael and Derri to record.
Featuring covers of «If You Find Her» by Future of Forestry, “River of Love” by T-Bone Burnett, “Bendy Line” by The Prayer Chain (co-written with Steve Hindalong of The Choir), and “That’s Where Jesus Is” by Terry Scott Taylor (recorded by the Lost Dogs), among others.
Live Simple, an album of covers requested through the House On Fire crowd-funding campaign, stripped to twin guitars, runs from Buddy Holly through T-Bone Burnett to Future of Forestry, but the highlight is a recreation of The Prayer Chain’s sultry masterpiece «Bendy Line», the original grunge guitars migrated seamlessly to mostly acoustic sounds. [Christian Musician, September/October 2016]
Kerosene Halo is the duo of singer/songwriter artists Michael Roe (77s, Lost Dogs, solo) and Derri Daugherty (The Choir, Lost Dogs, solo). Both artists have a long history behind them as they are beginning to get long in the tooth with neither being well known although based on some of what Daugherty has produced working with others, such as «God of Wonders» and «Beautiful Scandalous Night», quite a few people would have come into contact with some of his work. Getting their start in the Contemporary Christian Music scene in the 1980s as alternative rock acts both of these gentleman have plied their trade without apology and have stuck to their guitars and close to their alternative sensibilities. Given that they frequently support each other on tour and that they were in the “super group” The Lost Dogs (the Christian version of The Travelling Willburys) it’s no surprise that they’ve formed their own combo association of Kerosene Halo which has put out more acoustic or almost folkish fare. On ‘Live Simple’ the two have combined to put up an album of covers with just their voices and guitar work and it works. Wonderfully. These quiet takes are like intimate friends and are quite wonderful. What do they cover and who sings what? Let’s take a look.
1) Future of Forestry’s «If You Find Her» features Roe on vocals but both harmonize on the song, it’s just harder to recognize Derri’s vocals here.
2) Echo and the Bunneymen’s «Bring On the Dancing Horses» features both singers but, again, Roe’s vocals are more prominent. At least Derri’s are much more obvious on this song with wonderful guitar textures that really bring out the sensitive emotion embedded within this song.
3) T-Bone Burnett’s «River of Love» sees the two trading on leads.
4) Roy Orbison’s «Dream Baby» finds Roe taking lead. Roe has an obvious affinity for Orbison and he’s demonstrated this on some of his other releases. He certainly enjoys trying to match Orbison’s honey-throated vocals. Does a pretty good job.
5) Buddy Holly’s «Not Fade Away» keeps the rockabilly feel with Roe again driving the vocals.
6) The Prayer Chain’s «Bendy Line» bendy guitar line is illustrated in just how beautiful it is. Roe is primary again though both harmonize on the song. This is a real highlight of this release, especially the pitch perfect guitar plucking.
7) Ryan Adams’ «La Cienega Just Smiled» is a deeply affecting song so it’s clear why Roe picked this one. This may be Roe all by his lonesome, and there’s a great lonesome feel to this love song.
8) The Beatles’ «While My Guitar Gently Weeps» fits the overall tone of this album. Though Roe does lead Derri does show up to help out on the chorus.
9) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ «Learning To Fly» finally sees Derri take lead but both share the spotlight on this delightful and buoyant song. This song is the best one to represent them as a duo.
10) The Lost Dogs’ «That’s Where Jesus Is» is the final song; great and thoughtful lyrics. Funny that they’re covering one of their own? Maybe. But why not? It’s a covers album.If you’re more of a Derri Daugherty fan and want to hear his vocals then you may find yourself slightly disappointed as Roe dominates on virtually every song but the disappointment will pale and fade away given how deft, gentle, and inviting all of these covers are. This may be one of my all-time favorite covers albums. These guys continue to show that they are masters of their craft. I would buy every covers album that they put out as Kerosene Halo. I’d just hope that in the future Derri would be more prominent though I love them both. [THowerton, 2021]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-simple/1136734062)
CD tracklist:
01. If You Find Her – 2:27
02. Bring On the Dancing Horses – 4:48
03. River of Love – 2:47
04. Dream Baby – 2:46
05. Not Fade Away – 2:04
06. Bendy Line – 5:16
07. La Cienega Just Smiled – 4:13
08. While My Guitar Gently Weeps – 3:25
09. Learning to Fly – 4:02
10. That’s Where Jesus Is – 4:30
Note: The CD comes in a 4 panel digipak featuring photography from Nathan Sol. Re-issued on 180g 12-inch vinyl LP by Lo-Fidelity Records in 2021, pressed on Hazy Clear vinyl and featuring bonus track “Wayfairing Stranger” not found on CD. Available at Bandcamp: https://kerosenehalo.net/album/live-simple
CREDITS. Produced by The Procrastination Brothers. Recorded by Derri Daugherty and Doc Love (a.k.a. Michael Roe). Recorded at Neverland, Cerritos, CA, and DevonLou, Citrus Heights, CA. Mixed by Derri Daugherty at Neverland. Mastered by Ralph Stover at The Hobbit House, Roseville, CA. Photography by Nathan Sol. Design by Marc Ludena for Bassline Shift. Executive Produced by Jeffrey Kotthoff. Executive Produced by Jeffrey Kotthoff.
Musicians: Derald Daugherty (Vocal, Guitar), Michael Roe (Guitar, Vocal).
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