'Satisfied’ Album Review
Written by Ian Tamblyn, O.C.
Award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer, festival programmer and world explorer
I have recently been listening to a wonderful new recording by Ball and Chain and the Wreckers entitled Satisfied, featuring the beautiful voice of Jody Benjamin and fiddle and vocals of Michael Ball. Ball and Chain are the classic country duo of Jody Benjamin and Michael Ball. They are most ably backed up and supported by The Wreckers with Fred Guignion on electric guitars, Derek Jeffery on bass and Bob Bangs on drums and vocals. Guest artists include Lynn Miles on harmony vocals, John Steele on pedal steel and Antoine Larocque on accordion.
Though many of the tunes on this album are written by fine contemporary songwriters, this album is an homage in a way to the golden age of country music from the early Fifties to mid-Sixties... to quote Bob Dylan, “when country music was about real people in real situations.”
Front and centre in this collection of songs is the voice of Jody Benjamin. There is something so special about Jody’s singing that is so true and honest.. How can I say it – Jody’s voice is “unaffected”. It is unaffected by American twang, by contemporary affectations. It has, to my ear, a rural prairie quality perfect suited to these songs. There is something about Jody’s voice that reminds me of the prairie writing of Sharon Butala or W.O Mitchell. For me, it also harkens up youthful Saturday nights in Slate River, late Fifties, listening Myrna Lorrie and her band. Jody’s voice is straight on, and yet serves each song perfectly. She is a great singer and interpreter of the songs on this album.
The song selection on this album is also impeccable. If it is a homage to a great period of country music, it is also a recognition of some that period's most notable characters - Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. Lynn Miles excellent song “Merle” opens this collection and it is a great recollection of the Bakersfield’s anti-hero. Similarly, Jody’s tribute to Hank Williams’s difficult life is featured on the song, “The Man with the Pain”. Merle Haggard is summoned up again a the band covers his hit song, “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”, and in doing so, sets the tone and time period that this album celebrates.
However, this album does not dwell only on the darker side of the country music life and mythology. Indeed, there are songs of celebration, joy and pure silliness to be found in the grooves. “Rhubarb Pie” by John Fogerty, of all people, is one of the more sublime tracks on the album that I never would have expected John Fogerty to write - or Ball and Chain to sing! There are even songs of some spiritual transcendence, as found on Jody’s song “Change Comes from Within” and “Golden Rails”. Satisfied features songs by fine writers like Lucinda Williams, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Hank William’s long time associate, Fred Rose, and, as mentioned, Lynn Miles and Jody Benjamin. This is a generous collection of songs with 16 tracks presented. If this wide variety of songs seems too eclectic, be assured that it is tied together very well by the sonic unity of the album and by Michael and Jody’s vision of the project.
The arrangements of these songs are perfectly in keeping with the times Jody and Michael love, and yet the album sounds fresh and dynamic. The band’s take on each song really work, and the blend of Michael’s fiddle, Fred’s various guitars and John Steele’s pedal steel on Lynn Miles’ songs, “Merle” and “More” are beautiful. The songs recall the period of music they reflect and yet, sound contemporary. In part credit must go to engineer Ross Murray, who recorded this album at Jody and Michael’s house in Vanier, Ontario, and to Ross and Jean Martin who mixed the project. It sounds great!
Satisfied is an album that goes from strength to strength. Song selection, Jody’s voice, Michael’s fiddle and vocal back-ups, the arrangements and the sonic quality of the album all add up to something quite special. I am more than “satisfied” with this album! This album is quite simply very, very good.