S.G. Goodman is releasing her debut album, “Old Time Feeling” July 17th on Verve Forecast and I have had the privilege to hear it in its entirety. There is so much to say about this collection of songs. The album consists of songs that are inspired by many different genres including classic country, rock and blues. S.G. Goodman’s beautiful and raw voice ties this eclectic group of compositions together. Add in the expert guitar, drums and piano for a folk record that is emotional, fun and poignant. The lyrics are incredibly relevant to the current climate and speak volumes to S.G. Goodman’s perspective but her voice takes the center stage in each song.
The album was produced by Jim James, Grammy-nominated solo artist and of “My Morning Jacket” “She’s living proof that we can be whoever we want to be, no matter where we come from” James says commenting on the fact that S.G. Goodman grew up in Kentucky as a sharecropper’s daughter. Her experiences of her life in Kentucky, good and bad, are reflected in each of the songs singing about redbirds, coppermouths, cotton, love and work/social issues.
This album is eclectic in ways that feel timeless. “Space and Time” feels like a new Loretta Lynn song which alone would be a great reason to give the album a chance. “The Way I Talk” is more blues infused than the other songs flexing Goodman’s breadth on this album. The album’s title track “Old Time Feeling” is more fast paced rock influenced than the rest of the album with great guitar riffs and up tempo drums. My personal track off this album is “Redbird Morning” where you hear the slow and emotional song with lyrics like “See me smoking on this cigarette, the same kind that took out Nana’s breath. It’s the only flame that I have left. Will it be the death of me?” This song is striking how it shocks the listener into really considering the sorrow of this song.
After listening to the produced record, I looked up some of S.G. Goodman’s live performances. I would encourage readers to do the same. S.G. Goodman’s voice is just as good or better live and her personality really shines through. I am excited for the future and see how far she goes.
-Jessica Frey
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Old Time Feeling -Track List
Space and Time
Old Time Feeling
Supertramp
Tender Kind
Red Bird Morning
The Way I Talk
Burn Down The City
If It Ain’t Me Babe
Kitchen Floor
Big Girl Now