I received a CD in the mail with a little handwritten note on the back of an invitation flier asking me to please enjoy and review their album after I listened. It was from Natalia, Christina and Hannah, the ladies of Southern Halo, who hail from Cleveland, Mississippi. I am thinking that maybe they were named after the famous thoroughbred race horse, since the sister’s bio mentions horses a part of the pets they love and care for.
The more I listened to their close-with-a-modern-edge storylines and harmonies, the more I realized that they are poised to become the latest legendary singing sister trio! The Andrew Sisters and my friends, The Pointer Sisters, immediately came to mind. The album features a family affair of catchy song concepts and lyrics which reflect their regional realities and grow on your ears with each listen.
You will really hear and feel the church bells “ring-in’” the album as the trio are cantillating “Little White Dress” which is a wedding day song. I imagine all three marring simultaneously, but then again, they are not “triplets”, so that might not work. A great lyric here is, “My Daddy says I’m a handful, I’m just a little bit wild and free…” Every time I heard them sing, “fun, fun, fun” I had a Beach Boys moment. I kept waiting for “’til her daddy takes the T-bird away” lol
As they move into the intro of “Rewind”, you’ll hear a soulful organ in the background. I love the ballad”, I don’t Wanna Move On”, which I would subtitle, “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight”. It climaxes sweetly with a nice instrumental interlude.
“Over You” has a unique hook and it took many listens to try to figure-out what I was hearing in-order to describe it for you and the best I can glean is, ‘Ohh-ver you.” (maybe a lyric sheet needed on their website?). Is it, “I’m now, ow, ow, ow, ooo-ver you for the last time…” I’ll look for your translation in the “Comments” section below. There is good background guitar and instrumentation work on this selection especially.
“Moonshine”, cut number six, is my first favorite upon initial listens in my car one sunny day. A standout lyric is, “And he’s kissin’ on me and I’m lovin’ it.” Aww.
Remember that little note I received? It mentioned that the “latest single is “Living Like That”. Well, it too is a rocker, not as energetic; might grow on the fans and they can do better – like the very next song, the amusing and descriptive poetry of “Cowboys”, featuring more, crisp percussion from Nick Buda per the CD liner notes! I’m a little more confused as their press release denotes Christina on drums.
Finally, I like the last hard rocking good Southern USA Country rock of cut of track ten, “I Ain’t Crazy (But My Daddy Is)”, which is another take on the shotgun wedding tradition, in my opinion.
There is not much that hasn’t been said or written about Southern Halo, whose sound is full of feel-good fun and charming southern comfort. Compromise will continue to be the straw which stirs the showbiz togetherness drink with the group going forward.
I give them Three Acoustic guitars out of five for this 2015 release, while praying for more big things to come for these growing siblings, who are on their way to perform in London U.K. as I compose this review.
“Bon Voyage” Ladies!!, “knock ‘em dead” and “Y’all come back now real soon, to do more new music, ya hear?”
Be sure to check out my original blog for more older “My Vinyl” posts at www.achilliad.wordpress.com
achilliadsmyvinylrecordshoppe 