4 stars out of 5
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If there’s anything we anticipate from a Terry McCarthy album, it’s his warm strumming guitar, sharply observed lyrical details, and mildly groan-worthy titles indicating which number record this is for him: Wait, a Second!; The Charm; Go Fourth. But with his latest release, the Nutley, New Jersey-based singer/songwriter brings it all back Home. Indeed, if there’s an overarching theme to this collection, it’s that despite life’s ups and downs, there’s a hard-won comfort at home and in love.
That bright acoustic strumming matches the bright lyrics of devotion in the opening track, “A Thousand Mornings.” McCarthy’s sturdy vocals are framed by gentle piano from Bob Cannon and violin from Nicole Scorsone. Cannon also contributes a tasteful electric guitar solo. The next track, “Perfectly,” sounds like the hit single to me. It features dreamy backing vocals from Bernadette Malavarca and Catherine McGowan of Bern & the Brights. Meanwhile, throughout the record, the rhythm section of Gerry Griffin of the Porchistas on bass (he also produced the album at his Temple of Tuneage studio) and drums and percussion from Mike Shapiro and Tom Monaghan keeps things anchored.
No apology necessary for “Most Sorry” — the song was recently featured on WFUV’s New York Slice segment. It’s a jaunty tune led by Charlie Potters’ accordion, and Cannon lends a twangy guitar solo. Cannon then switches to piano for the intro to “Our Scene” in which our narrator confronts a past love, borrowing that “all the world’s a stage” simile from some old British guy. There’s some bitterness in McCarthy’s lyrics here, yet the chorus is like a gentle flashback, further cushioned by harmonies from Malavarca and McGowan.
The title track is a simple ode to the joys of home, from fresh-cut flowers to cooking smells. Ah, but there’s a touch of mystery: “They took me so far away from all of you.” Yet that robust strumming tells us everything’s OK now. Next, in “The Moment,” strum, violin, and shukka-shukka percussion set us up calmly, McCarthy repeating the refrain “And the moment was as pretty as the girl,” before we get the musical payoff: big horns from local faves the Defending Champions.
Now, I do have one criticism about this batch of tunes. I was really looking forward to a song called “Jangly Guitar.” The jangle pop of the ’80s has a very, very special place in my heart. So I press Play on track 7 and McCarthy’s playing that acoustic and I’m waiting and waiting but… no jangly guitar! Where’s my ringing Rickenbacker?? Bah strumbug!
All gripes forgiven and forgotten as the final song arrives, “Too Precious.” It slowly builds to something truly majestic, layering on violin, a Beatlesque section, and sunshiny horns courtesy of those Defending Champs. With only 8 songs in about 23 total minutes, Home may qualify as a mini-album, but that just means there’s no waste — no bloated solos or purple poetry. Terry McCarthy has crafted a concise collection of quality, intelligent folk/rock/pop material. He gives us a smile, a wistful thought, a tapping toe, and before you know it he’s gone. We didn’t even get a chance to thank him!
Jack Silbert, curator