The phrase “North Carolina Appalachian folk” brings to mind a certain set of assumptions, some of which hold true for Magic Tuber Stringband and others of which are shattered here. In like manner, the duo’s expressive sound may remind some of label mates Black Twig Pickers, until it doesn’t. This being said, fans of either act are likely to become fans of both.
Both of these shifts will occur in the third track, but first, Needlefall gets heads nodding and feet moving on “A Dance on a Sunday Night” and “Days of Longing,” a pair of fingerpicking gems. The fiddling pickup of the former, two-thirds of the way in, is as irresistible as a barn dance, a perfect reflection of its title; while the glissandos of the latter raise the level of intrigue, and offer a light foreshadowing of what is to come. These pieces are warm and melodic, comfortable in their genre, easy entry points for listeners; Courtney Werner and Evan Morgan know how to satisfy expectations before they subvert them.
In order to understand the album, it’s important to note that Needlefall is a sonic translation of the trees. Werner and Morgan seek not only to honor Appalachian music traditions, but the feeling of being in the woods, surrounded by stars and rustlings, creatures in the woods, centuries of debris and new growth. “Hermit’s Passage” is an exploratory drone that shimmers like the reflection of leaves in a river at sunset. A field recording links “Hermit’s Passage,” “Water Dripped Upwards” and “The Long-Suffering,” captured “during a paranormal experience;” we’d like to know more! Suffice it to say that this triptych captures the sense of mystery engendered by the deep woods; any lingering doubt is dispelled by the presence of theremin on the latter, along with clarinet, saxophone and mouth harp.
While the album has two sides, it’s tempting to think of it as having three. The triptych represents the journey into the deep woods, ending in ritualistic drumming and a sense that one is emerging as a changed being. When Magic Tuber Stringband steps back into the river of Appalachian folk, it’s not the same river. There’s a new richness of perception, an understanding of the texture and layers that were there all along, under-appreciated. Werner and Morgan invite their listeners to feel the same about the needlefall. Their reverence for Appalachian music traditions rivals only their reverence for the land. They bring the woods to the listener in hopes that the listener will travel to the woods. (Richard Allen)
a closer listen 