Erika Carey and the Calamities

Have you ever seen the lunar module piloted by Neil Armstrong in ‘69? It was little more than a galvanized waste can outfitted with a rudimentary computer and a couple lawn chairs. Erika Carey is launching her instrument of choice – the accordion – for the moon….Carey possesses a voice which is at once bold, and full of nuance – like swigging moonshine to wash down your collard greens. Imagine the Memphis soul sound filtered through a dusty speaker cone with your feet up on the porch railing…Inevitable comparisons come to mind when listening to the Calamities: Fairport Convention –heartbreaking tales of love sung by ex-lovers, Ray Charles playing country music - demonstrating how close the genre’s really are ( like kissing cousins) or Otis Redding and Carla Thomas on King and Queen – especially when listening to Todd May duet with Erika on “Five Years” or “Simple Bastard”The telepathic interplay of bassist Steven McGann and drummer Mark Spurgeon infuse it with a spirit like The Hodges Brothers on Al Green’s best records, and Betty Blockinger on violin (or fiddle, depends on which side of the Mason Dixon you reside) plus guitarist Jamie Ball twist the amplifier knobs at mission control. Theirs is a distinctly modern take on the classic soul attitude pioneered in Memphis, and given a uniquely rock and roll profile ….Amplitude modulation never sounded so sweet.