Soul is the incorporeal essence of a living being, by one definition. In the case of Ironbark, the latest from Australian music stars The Waifs, it’s the incorporeal essence of 3 living beings; sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, plus long time musical partner Josh Cunningham. The Waifs have been together 25 years now, and in celebration they released Ironbark, a 25 song collection that’s an essence of their being.
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Many of the songs on the 2 CD’s have the sound that in my mind is associated with The Waifs.  It’s sparsely instrumented, cleanly produced, richly harmonied folk and folk rock tunes.  They’re catchy, with a little bit of lonesome that comes not from being by yourself but from an understanding of how big the universe really is.  Some of the songs I like most are, let’s face it, not very upbeat.  Lion and Gazelle overlays the predator/prey framework on the broken marriage ritual.  Syria is a no-compromise look at life from a refugee point of view, “nails and bombs and a dying son, what’s a man to do.”  The title track references the idea that the strongest among us is still susceptible to the axe of life.
Lest you think Ironbark is a one trick pony, though, these guys didn’t stay together 25 years without having a few tricks up their sleeves. Â The Shack is a spoken word piece about being blessed with a wonderful upbringing, regardless of how other people may see it. Â Take Me To Town is a fun country song about not getting sucked into all work and no play, with the astute observation that, “we can’t all be peeing sideways”. Â Also in the country vein is Goodnight Lil’ Cowboy, complete with a little yodeling.
 Ironbark is a celebration of producing 25 years of some of the best Americana music you can find, even if they are from Australia.  If you’re already a fan of The Waifs, you know what I mean.  If not, this is the chance to jump on the road train.  Let’s hope they’re good for another 25 years of great music.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.