Won’t You be Cruel to be Kind

The third instalment of the Buffalo Gals’ Won't You… series of albums includes 15 tracks running the Americana gamut, from old-time string tunes and Appalachian ballads to traditional country and bluegrass standards. Personally, I prefer the instrumentals, such as ‘Jerusalem Ridge’ and ‘Richmond Falls,’ during which the string ensemble achieves a seamless balance of harmonic resonance, melodic clarity and rhythmic energy. ‘Patty on the Turnpike/Shady Grove’ conjures up a lovely, lilting melding of Irish reel and bluegrass jig. When it comes to the vocal selections, how deeply one becomes engaged is largely dependent upon the degree to which one appreciates Gals-founder Kate Lissauer’s distinctively flat, raspy, low-throttle voice. Sometimes it works, as on the hard-driving bluegrass of ‘Greasy Coat’ and in the backing harmonies for the gospel classic, ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’. Sometimes, it doesn’t – on the country yodeling showcase ‘I Left Her Standing There (with a Doodad in Her Hair)’, for instance, which was immortalized in pre-World War II America by the DeZurik Sisters (aka The Cackle Sisters). On some songs, the singers’ range and tone tends to dilute or distract from the melodic colour and lyrical content rather than amplifying them. ‘No Good, Crazy Woman’ for example, which is a country blues, lacks any sort of bluesy punch either from the vocalists or the instrumental accompaniment. As with the band’s previous albums, Won't You be Cruel to be Kind reinforces The Buffalo Gals’ reputation as ambassadors of Americana, though some performances convey the message more effectively than others.