Ray Massucco, the only lawyer/roots music promoter I know, pressed a CD into my hand last June and said he had already worn out his copy of it.
The CD in question was Mary Gauthier's "Between Daylight and Dark," and I put it on later that night. It took about two songs for me to figure out that this CD was going to be in heavy rotation from then on.
This is an absolute gem of an album, disarmingly honest, poetic and earthy, marvelously conceived and produced without seeming, not even for an instant, slick and packaged.
Gauthier, whose own life has taught her many hard lessons, has a genius for songs which break open everyday existence to reveal the plain, essential truths within.
If you don't believe me, catch her when she comes to Bellows Falls this Sunday, April 19, to perform at Boccelli's on the Canal. Massucco, who has brought Gauthier to the Roots on the River Festival/Fred Eaglesmith Weekend on more than one occasion, is the one bringing her back again, for what will no doubt be a show of rare power and grace. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Don't miss it.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. To order tickets, visit brattleborotix.com. For more information and a nice profile of Gauthier, check out Dave Madeloni's interview with her, which will appear in the April 16 Ovation of the Brattleboro Reformer or visit www.reformer.com.
If you can't make it, do yourself a favor and check out "Between Daylight and Dark." Ray Massucco sure was right about her.