SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ANNIE NEELEY – BIG OLD MOON

Annie Neeley
Big Old Moon
Independent

One can never be certain when receiving advice from friends. “I’m sure that crab meat at the back of the fridge is fine to eat!” comes to mind. However, when the friend is Sarah Rudy (of West Virginia band Hello June), and the advice is, “You need to hear the new album by Annie Neeley!” – that is advice worth taking.

The album in question, Big Old Moon, marks Annie Neeley’s first release since her 2016 collab with the artist Andrew Adkins. While that album was more of a bluegrass affair, Neeley pulls out all of the roots/folk/blues/Americana stops on this album, to great effect.

Recorded live at the home studio of Neeley’s friend, producer Bud Carroll, the production is full and clean, and the performances are strong. With a band that includes Neeley’s collaborator/bassist (and husband) Dave Kirkpatrick, drummer Ammed Solomon, and keys player Randy Gilkey, the songs on Big Old Moon are well-served by the  players’ talent and skill.

Neeley’s chops as a singer and songwriter are apparent right off the top. The false endings and cheeky turnarounds of the title track, “Big Old Moon” give us an early hint of the goodness to come. With a voice that is both sweet and powerful, Annie Neeley seriously delivers. She is equally comfortable emoting the intimate, close-miked tune “Hero”, as she is when belting out a song like the retro country barn-burner “Sweet Love”.

Stylistically, Big Old Moon checks a lot of boxes, and truly has something for everyone: titles that intrigue, styles that engage, and songs that fit just right. There are many great moments on this album, but the southern gospel soul of “We Rise”, and the existentialist heartache and country-folk hooks of “Past And Gone” are particularly noteworthy.

The overall production and execution, and stylistic side-trips make Big Old Moon a bona fide songwriter’s album. Neeley’s influences are diverse, but in that diversity is strength. This is a songwriter who is connected to herself, and to the literal and metaphorical places that she calls home. Keep your eyes and ears on this artist.

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