This 21-track mix is founded on the belief that certain music genres are timeless and as such resistant to change.
In this instance the main genres are blues, gospel and ragtime.
The trio of experienced American fingerpickers have established themselves as noted artists in their own right. The album celebrates traditional sources to tacitly acknowledge the legacy to be drawn from celebrated artists like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Fats Waller and Rev Gary Davis.
As singers, Chen, Ellis and Ellis share the lead vocals and add a few songs of their own for good measure.
The record opens with a tale of yearning behind prison bars (Columbus Stockade Blues) and closes with I Am Born to Preach the Gospel.
The choices are not emphasising old weird America nor do the artists seem overly concerned with flagging any direct or indirect references to the modern world.
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There’s a version of Steve Earle’s South Nashville Blues as if to show that they do not wholly in thrall to ‘old-timey’ music.
The trio first joined forces in 1993 with their album ‘Preachin’ In The Wilderness’. 'Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard' can be counted as a belated sequel.
It’s been a long time coming but my guess is that the two records could be played back to back and listeners wouldn’t notice the time gap.
Andy Cohen’s website
Eleanor Ellis’s website
William Lee Ellis on Bandcamp
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