Album Review – Yellow Feather’s “And Gold”
Since country music is an art form where pedigree is often much more important than a passing footnote, it feels like a requirement to lead off the discussion of Old Fort, North Carolina’s Yellow Feather with the forward notice that this band includes Casey Kristofferson, a.k.a the daughter of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. But this is not why you will be most intrigued by this band, though it may be a reason you initially pay attention.
What will draw you towards Yellow Feather is the warm and clever songcraft and harmonies they sow in simple, yet involved stories that makes this one of those small, cut-and-pasted-together bands you love to root for. There is nothing extra special going on here. No soaring vocals from some our generation’s best crooners, no super-picking by an incredible assemblage if instrumental marvels. Not even the songwriting specific to its adeptness at turning a phrase or rhyming words is something that by conventional measurements would be anything to wow you.
But what Yellow Feather possess that so many other bands with all of those other positive attributes fail to embody is a chemistry, an honesty, and an unpretentious and warm vibe that is hard to not find endearing, allowing the music to create its own appetite in your heart until you find yourself falling in love with it. Outfits like The Deslondes, The Alabama Shakes, and Shovels & Rope have it—that indefinable magic that makes them better than the sum of their parts. And so does Yellow Feather, famous daughter or not.
And Gold is the band’s debut album recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC, just west of Old Fort. Along with Casey Kristofferson on harmonies, it includes primary singer and guitar player Hunter Begley, who really makes up the face of the band. Also along for the ride is slide player Charles Willis, and Rob Parks on bass. Others who make appearances on the record include Aaron Lee Tasjan on guitar, fiddler Lyndsay Pruitt of the Jon Stickley Trio, and Jimmy Rowland on keys. All together they charge forward mostly in time, usually in tune, and taking you on both silly and meaningful journeys into the head space of modern reality lost in a sea of thoughts, guilts, and selfish intentions amid a backdrop of smokey mountains.
From the very first song “If You Ain’t Cheatin’,” Yellow Feather puts you on alert that this is a band willing to delve into the underbelly of life, and not mince their words while doing it. They don’t just cry about being cheated on and used, they sing from the perspective of the cheater, and the user, and darn near make you empathize with them. Even some of the love songs are less romantic sonnets, and more pining odes to selfish needs, yet they work well since the words are more steeped in reality, and still cause the re-evaluation of one’s self like all good songwriting.
Casey Kristofferson is probably best at singing harmony, though this shouldn’t be taken as a backhanded compliment. Let’s face it, pops didn’t make his way in music because of his pipes. He did it because of the songwriting, and so will Yellow Feather. Somewhat curious about this band, and maybe even a little bit endearing is the fact that they seem to be completely passed over in any national recognition and narrative, even with a famous last name in the lineup. Barely anybody knows about And Gold released in November 2017, which makes them a good musical discovery.
Delightfully sloppy and disconnected, good to listen to during a drunk or hangover, and hard not to love, And Gold and Yellow Feather are a good little regional project that should be drawing ears from across a wider cross section of the country and roots world, and very well may if they can keep what’s cool at the heart of this music in tact, which is a dirty, earnest, and honest approach unbeknownst to trends.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7.5/10)
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hoptowntiger94
February 14, 2018 @ 7:55 pm
Underbelly of life …. Sloppy and disconnected … honest …. yes, please!
I downloaded it through the Amazon link ($9.49, but I was offered $7.99 unlimited streaming because I’m a Prime member – i still haven’t decided how I’m going to consume music in the future. Will SCM get paid if I stream it trough Amazon?)
I needed new music because I’m wearing out Moonpies.
A.K.A. City
February 15, 2018 @ 8:41 am
The new Wade Bowen is really good if you are looking for something else to listen to.
hoptowntiger94
February 15, 2018 @ 8:44 am
They have been playing it a lot on Outlaw Sirius. I caught the album special twice last week. It is very good.
10-GEN-NC
February 16, 2018 @ 12:16 pm
Liking what I’m hearing thanks for heads up, they need to get some more press or tour thru nc more bc I try to stay on top of good music coming out of the #landofthelongleafpine, (esp in the roots country American whatever u want to call it) but this is the 1st I’m hearing of them….and I know review wasn’t meant to be antagonistic regarding what they lack etc (& was more to highlight their strengths) but would be kind of bummed if my 1st review read like a buzzfeed list of what my band lacked lol
That being said, im just starting in on album & whatever they have or havenot im really digging it, fwiw i got yall covered in the triangle area lodging help.booking etc would love to catch a live show asap! Will look into tour info maybe I just missed the boat, either way thanks for heads up trigger and thanks for good tunes my #yellerfeatheredbrethren hope everypne has a good weekend feeling like spring down here!!
Yellow Feather
February 19, 2018 @ 5:52 pm
Thanks for listening! Since the album release, we’ve brought on a few new band members and have our permanent line up ready. We are currently booking shows for the season and would love to hear your venue suggestions for the Triangle Area! You can find our upcoming shows and contact info at http://www.yellowfeatherband.com
Ulysses McCaskill
February 14, 2018 @ 10:32 pm
I didn’t know this album, or the band itself for that matter even existed until early January. I bought it off itunes and enjoyed it quite a bit. Has a nice folky-country-rock kind of sound to it.
Kross
February 15, 2018 @ 4:32 am
Good review. I stumbled across these guys last year. I was immediately drawn to them. When I think Americana I think of them.
Moses
February 15, 2018 @ 5:42 am
I’m excited to give this a listen. Also, Asheville is just west of Old Fort, NC.
Aggc
February 15, 2018 @ 5:57 am
Eh…
Has anyone else heard the Hugh Masterson EP from last June? It really shows promise.
Aggc
February 15, 2018 @ 5:59 am
Also, kind of hard to warm up to a woman covered in tattoos but maybe that’s just me …
RD
February 15, 2018 @ 8:17 am
Its unsettling.
Trigger
February 15, 2018 @ 9:28 am
It’s a bad habit to listen to music with your eyes.
RD
February 15, 2018 @ 9:40 am
I actually like the song, and I will probably buy the album and give it a listen. But, I don’t like tattoos on women. They say something.
Aggc
February 15, 2018 @ 9:42 am
That’s true. I guess I just don’t get the whole women with tattoos thing.
Trigger
February 15, 2018 @ 9:52 am
Fair enough. I tend to feel human skin is beautiful as it is too. But I also feel like we sometimes judge music based of off first impressions on appearances, and that’s not always fair. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t done this myself before checking myself.
RD
February 15, 2018 @ 10:05 am
Its a two-way street. If the image didn’t matter to the music, then punks wouldn’t get tattoos, piercings, Mohawks, etc. and Kacey Musgraves wouldn’t wear push-up bras and impossibly short skirts. Unless you’re Susan Boyle, you’re selling some kind of image. In fact, I think some forms of “music,” like punk, are more about the visual and the emotion, than they are about the music.
Trigger
February 15, 2018 @ 10:54 am
For sure. That where music and “performance” intersect.
A.K.A. City
February 15, 2018 @ 10:27 am
Yeah, I think I would like Cody Jinks’s music, but I just can’t get past his tattoos.
I am just kidding, but to each their own.
hoptowntiger94
February 15, 2018 @ 10:36 am
Funny you brought up Jinks because someone did to me when I was discussing Josh Hedley’s tatoos and image. The difference is I had already formulated an opinion about Jinks music before I ever knew what he looked like (besides some grainy YouTube videos). He doesn’t push an image … not on album artwork, music videos, glossy EPKs. I didn’t even know he was so small until I saw him in concert last summer!
Trainwreck92
February 17, 2018 @ 2:49 pm
I’m curious as to what you think tattoos on a woman say, RD.
matthew rutledge
February 15, 2018 @ 8:26 am
IF she had a piercing voice, totally different. Amanda Shires covers hers up.
Ron
February 16, 2018 @ 8:58 am
If we are going to pick on the picture I hate the fake holes in jeans. I can’t believe the price people pay for holes in their clothes. People with holes in their clothes should earn those holes through work.
Aggc
February 16, 2018 @ 9:28 am
These are people that are largely just desperate for attention. It’s not even about looking good anymore. It’s just a mad dash to see who can be the most outrageous and push the envelope the furthest.
Austinaut
February 16, 2018 @ 12:25 pm
Right, because the pants and tattoos play such a huge role in how the music sounds. Please stay home, so the rest of us can enjoy the show. Idiots
JDo
February 16, 2018 @ 2:43 pm
Haha comon Ron, I think the point made so well by Trigger is we should not be ‘picking on the picture.’ Then you go and make that comment…
Sit back, relax, turn up the volume on ole Yellow Feather, and enjoy the music, man.
But for heaven’s sake, whatever you do, don’t look at the picture! 🙂
hoptowntiger94
February 15, 2018 @ 9:45 am
Guys, too! I don’t get it. However, It’s the norm now, we are the outliers. I do think they will regret all those tattoos when they are 70.
Matsfan/Jatsfan
February 15, 2018 @ 2:10 pm
Have heard two songs; good stuff. I like him going back to Hugh Bob and the Hustle. Will try to see him in April when he comes back to WI. Night after Margo Price though so that is tough to go back to back on a Sunday and Monday night.
Matsfan/Jatsfan
February 15, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
This was meant for Aggc’s comment above about Hugh Masterson. Sorry.
matthew rutledge
February 15, 2018 @ 8:28 am
The album kind of reminds me a little of Chatham County Line. Less bluegrassy of course but good to have more local music coming out of NC.
Benny Lee
February 15, 2018 @ 8:35 am
Great example of why the fiddle is a cornerstone instrument in country music.
Good song, definitely going to check this out.
Corncaster
February 15, 2018 @ 9:32 am
Nicely described, Trig. I like this sound. They mixed the bass too loud and the lead vocal too soft.
I’m getting to the point of thinking “an Americana song” can be defined as “a really slow two-step you can at best just sway to.” It’s folk at 33 1/3 taken down to 16-ish rpm.
A.K.A. City
February 15, 2018 @ 9:48 am
Thanks for the recommendation, Trigger. I enjoyed the album, and I wish them success. It’s pleasant, fun, “loose” listening. Hopefully they start to play outside of the Asheville area soon.
Yellow Feather
February 19, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
Glad you liked the album! We’re currently booking shows for Spring and Summer, please let us know what area you’re in and we’ll look into venues. Our website is http://www.yellowfeatherband.com. Thanks!
Snarky Anarky
February 15, 2018 @ 11:44 am
…is there actually a discussion about women with tattoos? god save us.
never the less, thanks for bringing this album to my attention
jtrpdx
February 15, 2018 @ 1:22 pm
My thoughts exactly.
CountryCharm
February 15, 2018 @ 1:15 pm
I wish the mixing was different. I really like their sound but had to turn the volume up so loud to hear the voices the instruments were deafening. Too bad but still good background music.
Case
February 15, 2018 @ 6:03 pm
Not in the love with fade out, but it’s fine music that’s for sure. They draw you in — or at least this guy. Seems like they would be a real nice live show on a summer night. Album, bought.
kapam
February 15, 2018 @ 7:56 pm
I love the reviews best – especially when a new release is well received on SCM.
Will definitely go look for this on i-Tunes.
Thanks Trigger.
Jacob W.
February 16, 2018 @ 9:12 am
This is great.
JDo
February 16, 2018 @ 2:52 pm
This is a darn good album.
Donna
February 16, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Hi. Your review caught my interest (love the relaxed writing style) & was hoping for a quick listen but the vid in the article doesn’t play for me, (UK) I thought a mention might make a pleasant interest piece on kriskristoffersonfan.com as I am always on the lookout for titbits & this seemed like a good fit.
I will share your article with a few groups. A listen would have really helped though. Can the vid be fixed?
Trigger
February 16, 2018 @ 8:48 pm
Hey Donna,
My guess is you can’t listen via the video due to international song publishing stuff that unfortunately I have no control over. I include sample songs in my reviews when possible, but the reviews themselves are published to be standalone pieces.
Yellow Feather
February 19, 2018 @ 6:17 pm
Hey Donna,
We have had some problems with our digital content in the UK but are working to fix it as soon as possible! You can find the album on CD Baby and it should be up on UK iTunes soon. Thanks!
Donna
February 16, 2018 @ 9:23 pm
No problem at all. The band has posted generous footage on YouTube which I was able to listen to. Great stuff! Thank you.
HR Curt
February 19, 2018 @ 2:47 pm
This is great, thanks Trig!
Donna Clarke
February 20, 2018 @ 6:55 pm
Thanks for the review. I am an idiot when it comes to the nuts and bolts of music, and it’s fine if you don’t post this publicly. I just wanted you to know that I linked to you from this post.
http://kriskristoffersonfan.com/index.php/personal/yellow-feather-casey-coolidge-kristofferson/
Betty
March 12, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
Sounds good. Will check them out. Kris may not have had the vocals but Rita sure did. Rita started out as a backup singer. Rita and Kris’s duets were great.