Woodford
Line – Into The Night EP (Pitch Pipe Records)
Originally from Woodford County, Illinois, husband and wife Jake
and Janette Vohs have been playing together in bands since the late ‘90s, but
with Woodford Line they’ve taken the opportunity to concentrate on their own songs.
It’s a gamble of sorts to discard the comfort blanket that a group of fellow
musicians can provide, though it also allows a talent – in this case a pair of
them – to focus on their strengths and deliver their own musical ideas and
concepts, without compromise.
Their new Into The Night EP is a thoroughly entertaining collection,
laced with good humour, engaging writing and some quirky details, which provide
the duo with their own characteristics and identity - a uniqueness that’s so important
in a crowded marketplace. With the strength of their songwriting, their winning
performances, chock full of joie de vivre and good time vivacity; they’d be a
happy surprise at any roots festival or barroom of your choosing.
Of the five tracks there’s zero filler, but that doesn’t mean we
can’t draw your attention to a few highlights. Opener ‘Mary’s Got A Boyfriend’
is a rockin’ country tour-de-force with Janette taking centre-stage telling the
tale of Mary and her various romantic adventures. It’s delivered with a
tongue-in-cheek exuberance that would win over the most dedicated misery guts. The
title track is a joy, piano is at the fore, the pair share vocals and the
result isn’t unlike early Ben Folds Five, upbeat, lively and very poppy.
Finally a mention for ‘The Man I Used To Know’ - a complex, multi-layered song,
with influences than range from classic Latin styles to Al Stewart.
Rollo
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