Sam Baker

Say Grace

Sam Baker’s fourth LP won’t surprise anyone familiar with his music, except that the local songwriter continues to extract extraordinarily evocative ballads from the minutia of ordinary life. Keeping production sparse but polished, Baker’s hard-hewn and halting voice carries the emotions of tragedy and grace as both witness and participant (recall “Terrible Beauty,” Nov. 16, 2007). From the powerful, fading memories of the opening title cut to the simple invocation of closer “Go in Peace,” his narratives recall John Prine and Tom Russell. Discarded debris in “Road Crew” and the cutting glint of “Panhandle Winter” both bear that out, while the melodic strum of “Ditch” could be Steve Earle’s songbook. Joel Guzman’s accordion adds poignant shading to the doom of “Migrants,” forgotten deaths but for Baker’s elegy. Say Grace, raw testament to lives overlooked and stories unsung.

***

This article appears in August 23 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.