Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
All This Time
*** out of *****
Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams fourth album All This Time, is a combination of Americana, rock, folk and country you would expect now from the "first couple of Americana". The rich sounding record is alive with strings, twangs and dramatic vocals.
Campbell has made a career by backing up legends (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm) and steps more into the forefront with his partner in life and music as Williams soars vocally. The duo are not alone on the album as they get support from Justin Guip - drums, percussion, Brandon Morrison - vocals, bass, Bill Payne - organ, and Brian Mitchell - accordion, organ.
The production and studio sound is top notch as all the vocals and instruments float through expertly. The album opens with the country rocking twang of "Desert Island Dreams" which finds the couple wanting to retreat from the modern world to live in nature by themselves. "I Think About You" is a throwback in the vein of countrified soul while Campbell takes over lead vocals for the rollicking blues of "The Way You Make Me Feel".
All This Time is certainly a post-Covid album from the couple as Campbell had a tough dose of the disease and just basic things now have added weight. The title track is well done in this direction, savoring every breath as mandolin's strum, organs whirl and guitars cut a mean short solo.
On the flipside at times the writing can feel middle of the road and a bit dull. Both "Ride With Me" and "That's All It Took" seem to have been written many times before as they tell the same old story. The sonics help when lyrically things become routine such as a nice piano solo or a dynamite guitar riffs.
The acoustic based "A Little Better" reminisces with history and specificity that works well while "I Love You" has some of the best six string work on the record. "We Done Earned It" throws it back to the strutting blues rock with confidence while album closer "Pretty and the Fair" drips with pedal steel and a sense of sonic majesty.
Campbell and Williams have a natural sense of ease, singing and playing together as the album unfolds with grace. All This Time takes a second to exhale and enjoy the world around the couple as they continue through this life together.
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