The first time I ever heard Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl it was nothing like I expected. I had foolishly envisioned some depressing, desolate country/western music and what I got instead was beautiful, harmonic folk-pop with a distinctly desert feel.
It’s no surprise that Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl won a Tammie for Best Folk Group back in 2008. The music of Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl offers their listeners folk music abounding in a Western sensibility: straightforward, occasionally whimsical, and a little salty.
Their latest release, Children of Fortune, provides proof positive that Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl know the ropes of songwriting. Songs like “For the Birds” and “BD” illustrate the band’s storytelling ability, a necessity for any respectable folk-singing duo. Playful and lithesome, each track helps free the listener from the burdens of the world.
Lead vocalist and pianist, Amy Ross, sings with resounding clarity. She dances her voice through each song to shape the landscapes within. Derrick Ross is the Nowhere Man to Amy’s Whiskey Girl on guitar. The band opted for a name that expressed the two-person presence of their group.
Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl have a distinct sound as any spin through their album will reveal. But within this overarching sound, individual songs are crafted precisely to give each track its own temperament.
“Down Here” provides a playful twang for the lyrics that speak of “a whore-loving man.” The song “Tumbleweed” carries hints of an early-Elton John influence.
The songs have a timeless feel perhaps because they all seem somewhat temporally placed, but that unspecified era seems to jump around depending on the track. “Caramel Sails the Seven Seas” could be heard on a seaside boardwalk in the 1930s while “Nancy Superstar” has a modern pop flair.
The group’s songwriting ability really stands out on Children of Fortune. Amy and Derrick Ross create songs that reflect a ironic outlook and easy-going humor without sacrificing sincerity. Full of western charm, the band’s current Bisbee location seems decidedly befitting their repertoire.
Derrick and Amy hold a love for the road so if you don’t make it down to Bisbee, be sure to watch for the duo in your town. Until then, check out their album Children of Fortune today.
