Album Review:  Brave Caitlin Smith’s Imaginary Band – You Have Reached Your Destination

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Song Poet, Story Singer and Caster of Spells, Caitlin Smith presents a collection of her songs recorded ten years ago. There has been drama, trauma and difficulty. There has also been a journey of healing, redemption and spiritual awakening.

We can all walk along to this. There are footsteps even, to guide. The alchemy of a great singer and her perfect Imaginary Band.

Still described as New Zealand’s best kept secret…even though there are several album releases over the last twenty years. Live performances draw cult audiences. A love child of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell in a parallel world of the imagination.

A good number of songs address the pain of relationships. From this source of inspiration stories are constructed and we can delve and fly into the psyche with her.

The Story So Far. The lyrics are naked and raw and sound personal. The territory of Love Will Tear Us Apart. Sung in a beautiful soulful voice. The mood is light, playful and with some bravado. The backing singers add in Gospel tones. The bass playing is personified and walks a little like James Jamerson. This could be the Supremes from the classic Motown era.

Fade Into the Sun. A quiet melancholy voice opens the story of emotional loss. The musicians surround this tune and lift it up. Great drum accents energise this and eventually the singer does too. Thrilling high leaps and low tones. Becomes cathartic and empowering.

White Satin Dress. Folk Soul voice with the lightest of touch. But also grounded and dances with melody. Superb support from the band led by the engine rooms drum and bass. Sounding like the Celtic Soul Band of vintage Seventies Van Morrison.

Piano opens Held Like a Baby and is softly weeping. That’s Kevin Field and he plays all over this. The singer swings from tenderness to detachment. For mood, Sinatra of In the Wee Small Hours.

A Little Birdie starts with tablas on a loop. Superb singing from Caitlin who soars and flies on this with some high peaks on the vocals reminding me of Minnie Riperton with Rotary Connection. The band work up a light Funk groove. Some Jazz licks on the Hammond B3.

This is music as a spiritual journey. The labyrinth from the Auckland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is all over triple gatefold CD. A tactile one too. Braille on the cover. Caitlin is legally-blind from birth. The recorded footsteps also tap out an aural braille. Twelve poems are included and seem of a piece with the lyric sheets. Being a reformed vinyl junkie myself, this is a great piece of art to have in your hands.

Spirit comes in bottles too and it is no secret that Caitlin has battled this and recently celebrated 12 years on the wagon.

Easier Said Than Done is possibly closest to a personal confessional on the album. There is raw feeling and emotion in Bruises on my body and rocks in my head/ Laughing as I walk outside then crying in the sun/ I’ve got to change ‘cause I’m too ashamed of what I’ve become. The song starts with remorse but soon swings into Rhythm’n’Blues and a defiant tone. Horns and hip-shakes. The Walking Blues. A fierceness of spirit. Sam Cooke appears on the outro.

Possibly unfair to pick out a highlight but Prayer For a Miracle I have heard live to stunning effect. A Gospel invocation. Soul Jazz vocals which swing and bring in lightness and smiles.

The same spirit on No Man’s Land. Singing with some tenderness and a little detachment and not too far from a classic Sixties Pop Soul of a Dusty or Dionne. With no fixed abode/ She will wander through this world alone. A song from the Bardo.

The Imaginary Band are superb throughout. Unobtrusive, playing with some sympathy and some taste. Besides the piano player they include Dixon Nacey guitars, Aaron Coddell acoustic and electric bass, Nick Gaffaney and Steven Thomas drums, Janek Croydon pedal steel.

The Witch Goddess appears on Another Goodbye. The spirit is the liquid one. Empty words and empty arms. A personal call to arms. The voice is playful to incantatory. A little scary and casts spells before settling down in the early morning mist.

A powerful journey of Soul and Spirit and a classic New Zealand album.

Rev Orange Peel

Editor’s note: Caitlin Smith has been a regular and valued contributor to The 13th Floor since day 1. We are so proud that her album has finally seen the light of day. Please take some time to listen.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Rev Orange Peel
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