Premier: Cahalen Morrison’s “Sorrow Lines The Highway of Regret”
As one of the Pacific Northwest’s strongest classic country voices, Cahalen Morrison has found himself as a member of multiple incarnations of country and roots bands and other collaborations that have seen him share stages with the likes of Eli West, Caleb Klauder, and Kelly Joe Phelps just to name a few. Now he’s poised to release a solo effort through Free Dirt Records on August 19th with his own band called Cahalen Morrison and Country Hammer, and you can get a first taste of what they have in store in the form of his song “Sorrow Lines The Highway of Regret” below.
It comes from the album The Flower of Muscle Shoals; a serenade of Cahalen’s sweetheart who he just married and who happens to be from the South’s legendary recording haven. Cahalen is originally from Northern New Mexico where he was bred with the sounds of country and ranchero music surrounding him, playing in his first country band at the ripe age of 13. And then life led him down a different path. “I did what every teenager does, and decided to go down the rock, and whatever road,” Cahalen explains. “But then I came back around to acoustic music, and now back to country. I love the focus on singing and the songs; I love the deep sincerity, the absurd humor”¦ But obviously, overall, I really just love the music.”
Cahalen’s music is also inspired in part by novelist Cormac McCarthy, whose evocation of the deserts of the American Southwest have become legendary. “The sparse quality of McCarthy’s writing allows the reader to do much of the work themselves,” says Cahalen, and you get a similar sense of conservation of expression throughout Cahalen’s work, allowing the imagination to thrive in the open space.
“Sorrow Lines The Highway of Regret” pulls you in with the walking bass line and steel guitar, and keeps you there with the story of heartbreak told in cunning language. The song exemplifies how Cahalen’s music is classically steeped, but presently relevant.
August 17, 2014 @ 10:29 am
This is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing, Trigger,
August 17, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
Nice! Classic sound and fresh lyrics. (Pretty cool about the Cormac McCarthy influence, too.) 😀
August 17, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
If you’re a fan of Cormac McCarthy, I’d suggest listening to Ben Nichols’ EP, Last Pale Light in the West. It’s a concept album based on McCarthy’s novel, Blood Meridian. Despite how short it is, it’s one of my favorite albums of all time.
August 17, 2014 @ 8:01 pm
Great book (if very disturbing). I’ll keep an eye out for that EP…
August 17, 2014 @ 9:20 pm
Pleasant voice and he does remind me of the southwest. Totally smooth.
August 18, 2014 @ 7:17 pm
I like this a lot. More and more this is the kind of country music I am gravitating to. The recent Luke Bell album is a real keeper in my mind and this sounds promising.
Plus it reminded me of this old song which could be a forefather to this new one.
‘Driftwood On The River Of Regret’ Ernest Tubb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwqcpl6evBE
With special appearances by Minnie Pearl and a young June Carter!
August 18, 2014 @ 7:33 pm
Like, a lot.
My last listen before bed and it is leaving me with a good feeling about country music and my toe tapping.
thanks
August 20, 2014 @ 3:49 pm
This I like; glad to see the Pac NW representing the western tradition.
August 21, 2014 @ 9:46 pm
Trigger, you really should consider rewiew the brand new album by Goodnight, Texas “Uncle John Farquart”, a lot of heart an soul bluegrass/roots/appalachian music. Trust Me !
August 21, 2014 @ 10:01 pm
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look into it.
August 22, 2014 @ 4:57 am
Oh fuck yes!!!! 110% country music!!!!