Oklahoma up-and-coming folk musician and Deli regular Parker Millsap releases his self-titled album today.
The dream of the blues is alive and well in Millsap. The singer-songwriter has given himself plenty of room to stretch beyond the simple folk influences of his first album with bassist Michael Rose, “Palisade.” In his new album, melancholy tracks like “At the Bar (Emerald City Blues),” clearly delineate from the golden era of country, replete with crying steel guitars and lonesome lyricism.
The tempo throughout “Parker Millsap” hovers consistently between slow dance ballads and toe-tapping, early rock-influenced ditties like “Land of the Red Man,” — an ode to Parker’s home state. There is also a heavy gospel influence on tracks like "Old Time Religion" and "Truck Stop Gospel."
It all plays into the more full sound of this record compared to the simple bass and guitar-backed tracks of “Palisade.”
Millsap demonstrates a deeper vocal range than in his previous effort. His voice is not as steep, and is much more restrained on this record. Showing that in the two years since “Palisade,” Millsap has really focused on harnessing his harsh vocal qualities.
Yet Millsap still sings with the hoarse qualities that make his voice unique. As a result, much of the album sounds like it was aged in an oak barrel with a fine whiskey — and the results are similarly intoxicating. The deceptively simple arrangements and productions are dizzying in their quality, with lyricism that fills the listener with the same wistful sentimentality that comes from a warm glass of brandy.
With influences coming from every direction in classic American music, “Parker Millsap” feels like it belongs in a different era all together. An era when music was created by striking strings and physically beating surfaces to create sounds. Parker Millsap is a comforting voice in an era of douchey laptop DJs, crappy thug rappers and whatever the hell dubstep is.
We are living in an era of music when an album like Millsap’s is a bold statement. You’ll hear a talented singer’s voice, unaltered. You’ll hear songs not written by committee, with lyrics that tell a story. You’ll hear instruments being played proficiently to create melodies — not grinding, repetitious synth-pop musical goop.
Yet Millsap is very much an artist who is still evolving. Sometimes the influences overshadow the musician, especially on tracks like the aforementioned “At The Bar (Emerald City Blues).” Nevertheless, Millsap shows a remarkable knack for songwriting that fits the various amalgam of musical styles his album demands.
With a running time of a little over thirty minutes, the ten track “Parker Millsap” doesn’t wear out its welcome. But it will leave the listener yearning for more.
