A few weeks back I posted a review of Melissa Ruth’s latest album, Bones. It was a noteworthy record because on first listen it’s upbeat Americana music, with hints of gospel, jazz, and classic rock. Dig a little deeper though, digest the lyrics and pace of the songs, and you find a number of stories about heartbreak and, frankly, oppression. So while the project really isn’t a blues album, it shares a characteristic with the genre whereby sharing the pain not only lightens the load but also ends up bonding the listeners through shared experiences.
One of the songs doing that so well is Poor Man’s Daughter. It’s a tale of generational poverty and a reminder that roots can go deep and, as such, they’re not easily transferred to a fancy new pot. At the same time, as Ruth sings “there ain’t nothing special about living on the edge”, the song encourages you to remember others come from similar environments and you have to be part of the solution. Melissa and her husband, guitarist Johnny Leal, recorded a video for the song. With its close-up framing the couple emphasize this is a personal story, not just observational. We’re so pleased to premiere that video of Poor Man’s Daughter here on Twangville.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.