Customer Reviews

For The Mission Baby

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I recently bought my first album by Chris Smither and, as I was scouring the deepest recesses of amazon.com in search of something similar, I came across this album by Malcolm Holcombe.

At first, I was a bit fazed by his voice, but I'm more than OK with it now. The music combines some hard-bitten folk-blues with rustic Americana. The tasteful playing of various stringed instruments (incl. picked acoustic guitar [Malcolm], dobro, lap steel, bouzouki, mandolin and banjo) serves to counterpoise the harsher sound of Malcolm's guttural vocals. I enjoy music where you can actually pick out the individual instruments being played (as opposed to being 'bashed'), and such is the case here. The bass playing (David Roe) and drumming/percussion (Lynn Williams) instil many tracks with a healthy groove also.


All songs are written by Malcolm - and, as with some other song-writers, he is an observer of social processes and change, and their impact upon ordinary people. There is nothing highfalutin about his writing, he has a very instinctual and down to earth style. Being a Brit, I'm not too familiar with some of the 'terminology' used in the lyrics, but I get the general drift - so, a few comments about my favourite songs :

BIGTIME BLUES - About a 'fatcat' who has hit the skids, and who ruefully ponders his existence at the bottom of the ladder. Emphatic bass drum and upright bass provide the song's rhythm - a slowish stomp; dobro (Jared Tyler) features prominently, including a half minute solo.

HANNAH'S TRADING POST - Lyrics as bleak and as dark as you'll ever want - a disused mine and a dilapidated trading post used as a metaphor for social/economic decay? Mid-tempo song accenting the inter-woven sounds of acoustic guitar, upright bass, bouzouki and dobro; rhythm is driven along by djembe.

SHORT STREET BLUES - Lyrics with plenty of 'picturesque' humour; and with lines like 'folks round here drink a lot of cheap wine, and stay crazy most of the time' and 'I say honey, the rent is due - to hell with the short street blues', the song's message is more than apparent - it's time to re-locate! Jaunty song with a country-blues feel - great fun to listen to; harmony vocals from Siobhan Maher, and a short acoustic guitar solo from producer Ray Kennedy.

FOR THE MISSION BABY - Despite having a buoyant rhythm and an up-beat sound, this is another song with dark lyrics about a teenage girl who becomes pregnant, and has to give up her baby. Tasty playing from Tim O'Brien on mandola plus some nice 3-part harmonies.

SOMEONE LEFT BEHIND - 'You always hurt the one you love', and when you realize just what you've done, it's too late - all you are left with are memories and photographs. Mid-tempo song with wistful dobro, and rhythm from brushed drums and tapped wood block (I think).

Other favourites are 'Doncha Miss That Water' (featuring some low-key harmonies from Mary Gauthier) and the country-gospel flavoured 'Whenever I Pray'; there are no songs that I dislike - although the languid 'Straight and Tall' (with only acoustic guitar, arco bass and fiddle as accompaniment) is borderline - it's a fine song, but I guess I just prefer to hear Malcolm with a rhythm section behind him.


Disposable music this is NOT; it's popular music that goes back to basics (well, almost) - potent lyrics with plenty of edge (and some occasional humour), scintillating playing, and a voice like a bucket of nails smeared with phlegm. If you enjoy North American roots music, 'For The Mission Baby' is an album which deserves your attention. I could be proved wrong, but I just can't see it being a huge commercial success - but I don't suppose Malcolm Holcombe will be losing any sleep over it.

I highly recommend this artist! Love Malcolm's music and voice... gravely, grainy! If you are looking for a soft soothing voice to sleep by, not the CD to buy! If you want to be inspired and enjoy some unique music then purchase this CD by all means!!