Singer/songwriter Frazey Ford first came to the world’s attention in acclaimed folk trio The Be Good Tanyas. In her early life, she sang with her Irish/Cajun/Acadian mother despite a true leaning towards soul and funk. There was time spent living on a commune with American draft dodger parents and a collaboration with the legendary Memphis soul band The Hi Rhythm Section.
So it’s unsurprising Ford’s world is one of shapeshifting rhythm, elevating beats and grooves, wrapped in the subtle magnetism of her mesmerizing voice. With its graceful collision of soul and psychedelia and’70s funk, her music can be ecstatic and heavy-hearted, gloriously shambolic and deeply purifying. Her latest album UkinBtheSun is raw and direct; a departure from her earlier guitar-driven and often solitary songwriting. The album was birthed from a spontaneous collaboration with her long-time bassist and drummers.
Sublime sounds unfold in luminous grooves, dreamy piano tones, smoldering harmonies, cascading piano lines, fluid guitar work and warm and wise lyrics. Bold, sensual and confidently fragile, Ford is obviously not afraid to explore what lurks inside her, either musically or emotionally. Rich textures embed Ford’s lyrical storytelling: sharply rendered memories of early childhood, poignant messages of courage and survival, telegraphs to unfettered joy, a tenderly enchanted breakup song and an anthemic response to the toxic political climate.