CD Review – Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders “One Virginia Night”
MikeWard
Posted On December 20, 2012
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What is so special about this “One Virginia Night”? Undoubtedly it is the strength of talent that Andrew McKnight assembled for this live performance recorded with his band, Beyond Borders. McKnight can normally be found around the nation playing solo shows that combine folk, rock and world musical traditions, but for this performance near his home in the rolling hills of western Virginia, he has assembled a superb band to give his lyrics a strong platform to stand on, with Lisa Taylor on percussion and vocals, Les Thompson on banjo, and Stephanie Thompson on guitar and bass. With a deep sound and strong vocal backup from Beyond Borders, McKnight’s earthy lyrics are given strong support throughout the performance. His words pull form the tension of complimentary and opposing forces such as rock and folk, tradition and innovation, the individual and society, nature and progress.
“How High the Mountain” sets the tone for the album, opening with tight four part harmony that leads into a strong backbeat behind the acoustic guitar and bass. I soon found myself bobbing my head and rocking along to this inspirational song about dealing with depression, where the upbeat tempo battles the seriousness of personal despair.
The contrast and compliment theme carry directly into the second track “A Town Called Progress”, where we get a street side view from the eyes of struggling small businesses and “the strip malls on the bypass, reminders we once had dreams”. Rather than condemning the developers, it rather laments the decline of Main Street, U.S.A. Since I live in a small town with empty store fronts that saw its best days in the 1950’s, this song resonated with me on the very first listen.
The theme of the two edged sword of progress is picked up again later on the disc with “Made By Hand”. Taking a step out of the personal and into character, this song mournfully relates how the great changes that have been wrought upon the landscape over the last century have been accomplished upon the backs of common worker. Each member of Beyond Borders takes a versem which further emphasizes the connection to the people, not just the rich, famous and powerful that are most commonly covered in the history books.
“Safe Home” is McKnight’s tribute to the many soldiers from from the Appalachian mountain region who have volunteered to serve in the armed forces, a fitting subject for the first appearance of Les Thompson’s clear and haunting banjo work. The twang of the banjo and guitar combine with spiritual harmonies between McKnight and Taylor to give the song a timeless feel.
“Praire Wind/Big Sky Town” then takes us on a windows down car ride along with McKnight on his travels across the country, while reflecting on his personal choice to leave the security of a day job for the chance to chase a dream as a travelling musician. “Making no exception to the rule that I have followed here, nothing but the sun to guide my way there, I hope I find some gold behind this rainbow I am chasing down.” The song reflects the ideal of the west as a place where hopes and dreams are sought, if not always made.
Changing up the tempo and sound to his rock ‘n’ roll roots, “Something Worth Standing For” shows that McKnight has more to offer than regret for the disappearing past. The song of hope carries with it a positive outlook for a future where “what matters ain’t the words you say, it’s the little things that you do”.
McKnight’s skillful blend of old and new truly shines on his updated version of the traditional “Worried Man Blues”. With a heavy rhythm contrasting with Thompson’s soulful banjo, this track quickly became my favorite on the album. You could rock out to this at a big festival or get personal with it through headphones – either way this is a standout effort of combining the old and new.
The other members of Beyond Borders also take turns at the helm, as Stephanie Thompson does on “What Kind Of Person”, which I can best describe as dark relationship song the Beatles might have made after being jilted and betrayed. Somewhat whimsical in sound while serious in voice, this song is another successful contrast of tensions. Following is a track that highlights drummer and singer Lisa Taylor’s incredible voice on “It Means a Lot”. A strong presence throughout the performance, Taylor shines while singing lead just as she does with harmonies throughout the album.
McKniight’s skillful blending of the old and new is masterfully displayed on “The Road to Appomattox”, where the memoirs of a Virginia woman inspired this song of war and defeat in the Civil War. The modern beat is juxtaposed with Les Thompson’s haunting banjo work and McKnight’s visual lyrics, “where bullets fly like bees, cut blossoms from the trees…turn boys into men, and men to memories”.
The closing track of this live performance is a fitting summary of Andrew McKnight’s philosophy that extends “Beyond Borders”. As is evident from the previous musical and lyrical choices, he is not beholden to any one school of thought. Including an exciting drum break from Lisa Taylor, the song blends influences “from Asia and Africa and Appalachian hills” to carry the listener “beyond our sight, beyond ourselves”.
“One Virginia Night” is a philosopher’s folk album, where a greater message of our place in history is blended with the music of the American experience, while never losing its connection to the root of folk music – hard work, respect for nature and hope for a better future.
