Some Velvet Evening’s “No Law Against Talking”

By Joe Ross

Fans of classic country music should rejoice that new music is still being written in that style by artists like Carrie Shepard and John Holkeboer (aka John Holk). The Detroit duo refers to themselves as “Some Velvet Evening,” and No Law Against Talking was recorded over a three-year period with the instrumental assistance of Todd Glass (drums), John Lang (pedal steel), and Paul McLinden (lead guitar). Shepard provides percussion, and Holk plays bass, guitars, banjo, mandolin and percussion.

Reflecting their name, the duo strives for a soft, smooth and lustrous sound. They don’t achieve the high, lonesomeness of their honky tonk influences, but do succeed with a more relaxed, personalized elegance that emphasizes their close vocal blend. That’s why a folky rendering of “Springtime” or the rawboned country song “Shooting the Breeze” are presented with wafting gentleness and a natural quality, sure to please aficionados of vintage country.

“Chore List” incorporates a simple melodic riff that gives the song a distinctly ethnic feeling. When I hear the two covers on this album, I can’t help but draw comparisons to original renderings. As done by the Delmore Brothers in the 1930s, “Southern Moon” had a driving bluesy feeling. Recently, I heard the song covered in a bluegrass arrangement with considerably more tempo by The Crowe Brothers. Some Velvet Evening keeps their harmonizing close throughout the song, but I think they could have imparted more energy with an arrangement in a higher key.

The closing track, “Come On, Let’s Go” is a radical change of pace, a cover of the Ritchie Valens hit. With their feet planted firmly in both the past and present, Some Velvet Evening is recreating a vintage sound that even presages the honky tonk era. Their music has heartfelt accents that are country to the core.