Some familiar musicians with an almost familiar name are back with a deep well of songs called Tightrope Walk.
BTU, the initials of Bentall, Taylor and Ulrich, are proving themselves to be generators of sweet songs in the time honoured West Coast folk tradition.
Barney Bentall, Tom Taylor and Shari Ulrich are B.C. folk and rock stalwarts, which accounts for the familiarity (real or imagined) of the material on their second album, Tightrope Walk.
Ulrich’s voice has that suggestion of recognition that’s a testament to her enduring appeal on the scene. Bentall and Taylor both did time rocking in Vancouver and beyond.
Their past brings a rock influence into the opening track, Chased by the Devil. The song is filled out by riff breaks that could cozy up to a cranked amp.
The urgency of the music adds a touch of mystery and it’s a smart choice for an opening track as it adds an appealing contrast to the rest of the album, which is strong on ballads and folk/country songs.
Another character of Tightrope Walk is revealed when The Wind Don’t Lie chimes in. The track has the hybrid qualities that mark West Coast acoustic music – folk tradition, old country western chord patterns and lilting melody and vocal line.
This is also reflected in the mellow ballad Long Lovely Love Affair, which has a James Taylor style reflective rendering rather than a melodramatic display.
The trio use their songwriting skills to craft tracks that are rich in layered tones and conversant harmonies. The title track is an example of that and the album is notable for expressive material and inclusive ambiance.
The group’s solid dynamic carries over from studio to song as their ability to generate material with substance makes Tightrope Walk an easy flowing listen that makes sense.
– Dean Gordon-Smith reviews the latest music for The Morning Star every Friday.