Sometimes a project takes on a life of its own. Just ask Boston artist Susan Cattaneo. The Hammer and the Heart, her forthcoming release, started as a single album (to use the old vernacular) with the intent of collaborating with musician friends that she admired.
Well, as the project progressed the list of collaborators grew and one album became two. Among those who contributed to the album are a who’s who of the Boston Americana scene (and Twangville faves) including Todd Thibaud, Dennis Brennan and Mark Erelli.
The double album also demonstrates that Cattaneo has a thing for guitarists and, to that end, she recruited some of the best. We’ve previously written about Boston master Duke Levine, who continues his winning ways. Cattaneo also traveled to St. Louis to record with none other than the Bottle Rockets.
Of particular note, Cattaneo recruited celebrated Americana guitarist Bill Kirchen to not only play on the album, but to co-write a couple of tracks including the one that we are premiering today. “In the Groove†celebrates vinyl records with a sound that hearkens back to the 1950’s when the medium helped launch rock and roll. The icing on the cake – hearing guitar gurus Kirchen and Levine trade solos.
Here’s what Cattaneo had to say about Kirchen and the song.
I met the amazing Bill Kirchen at the international folk conference, and we hit it off. I remember getting home after the weekend, and starting to write the lyrics for In The Grooves. It is a love song to the magic of vinyl records. Listening to music used to be a physical and tactile experience not just an oral one. I wanted to write a tribute to my love of the old way of listening to music. Bill and I got together over the next few months and finished it. It’s got that wonderful rockabilly sound and all the lyric examples harken back to the 1950’s. The icing on the cake was when Bill was able to make it up to Boston to record it with me!
For those in New England, Cattaneo and Kirchen will be performing at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on 14 June and at Thunder Road in Somerville on 15 June.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.