By Ken Paulson
— Charlie Faye’s Travels with Charlie is built on a cool concept – residences in ten different cities for a month each, but it’s no travelogue.
With the exception of the honky tonk song “Two-Timer” cut in Nashville with Chris Scruggs, Kenny Vaughan and Buddy Spicher, the songs don’t reflect their roots.
What they do reflect is a fresh start each month, with a new set of musicians and producer. The end result, currently #12 on the Americana music chart, is surprisingly cohesive and consistent.
Charlie’s work would be filed under Americana at the few real record stores left in America, but she also has a strong pop voice and sensibility. Songs like “Broken Heart Maker” and the buoyant “Obvious to Me” are energetic and hook-laden.
The more reflective material is also strong, particularly “Bitterness” (“I knew you back when we were young and time had yet to lay his hands on us”) and the soulful “Girl Who Cried Love,” which seems to channel “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
Ten cities. Ten months. One fine album.