This Side Of Jordan

Description

On Mandolin Oranges third release, This Side Of Jordan, theres a Lightnin Hopkins lyric, If fates an old woodpecker then Im an old chunk of wood. I love the imagery that creates, Andrew Marlin, the duos lyricist says, You just picture death as this woodpecker that just lands on your shoulder and starts chipping away at you until theres finally nothing left. In 2011 around the release of Mandolin Oranges acclaimed Haste Make/ Hard Hearted Stranger, Marlin had a near fatal accident. It was scary, Emily Frantz, the other half of the North Carolinian duo says, But ultimately it brought us together during a time when we needed a nudge in that direction.

This Side Of Jordan is the story of that healing process, with tales of love and loss, told honest and bare. The opener, House of Stone, quietly fades in with the hush of Frantzs fiddle then Marlins guitar joins her, blooming. Its a moment of beauty and a gentle easing into the record thats drenched deep in the old time music of Southern Appalachia. Frantz explains of old time, Theyre simple songs that just anyone can play with anyone they dont know, but music is what they have in common. And I think thats so much of what we value in that kind of music. That old time tradition brought Marlin and Frantz together at a local jam in Chapel Hill in 2009.

Recorded at the Fideltorium in Kernersville, North Carolina with bassist Jeff Crawford and a backing band, This Side Of Jordan still maintains Mandolin Oranges modest aesthetic. Its the appropriate juxtaposition to Marlins undeniable lyricism. Religious faith and fable thread throughout the record with Biblical references used to convey a different point, Frantz says. In the south especially, we hear the Bible construed in any and every way to justify peoples comforts and discomforts, Marlin further explains, and its so frustrating to watch those stories be used to limit peoples happiness. This sentiment inspired Hey Adam which Marlin says is a letter written to Adam from his secret male lover. During its chorus Marlin and Frantz urge in unison, Our Father loves you all ways.

But this is not strictly a lyrical record. The duos understanding of classic country, rock, and blues naturally appears. Waltz About Whisky swings like a honky tonk thanks to Nathan Golubs bending pedal steel as Marlin and Frantz plead, Wont someone dance with me to a waltz about whisky and turn my sad songs to lullabies? When Marlins busy guitar weaves Black Widow, Josh Olivers sparse piano chords frame the track until its eerie conclusion. And Morphine Girl lazily trudges to James Wallaces drum while Ryan Gustafson conjures on electric guitar.

The closer, Until The Last Light Fades, was written before Marlin met Frantz. With just Marlins mandolin and Frantzs guitar, its the most fragile track on the record. Although its always been one of the duos favorites to play, it didnt feel right on either of their previous releases. It was so rewarding to have held out and have it come full circle, Frantz explains in choosing the track to end the record. And as Frantz sings, Born to die, born to die, darling youll live no longer than your years, it comes across like an old adage, something faintly familiar.

Marlin and Frantz have rambled through the dark and came out together on This Side Of Jordan holding onto some promise, more confident than ever. Theyve made simply structured songs with easy chords and humble harmonies. These are the hymns that Mandolin Orange was meant to offer.