Spotlight Album Review: Gathering Time "Old Friends"

The Long Island trio Gathering Time has emerged from the folk world, but when I first heard them nail “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” at a NERFA conference, I could tell they were at home with rock as well. While they dive deep into the folk-rock canon from the ‘60s and early ‘70s on their superb new album, Old Friends, they don’t just honor the classics, they make them their own with their delicious harmonies.

The album begins with “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” which is appropriate for a couple of reasons. It was written, of course, by Pete Seeger, the patron saint of folk music, and popularized by The Byrds, early architects of folk-rock. Beyond that, it has a message that resonates for this moment in time. That’s followed by “Hurry Sundown,” a somewhat obscure Peter, Paul and Mary song, but one of my personal favorites. (It was written by Yip Harburg and Earl Robinson for the Otto Preminger movie Hurry Sundown, but not used; it ended up in 1966 on The Peter, Paul and Marry Album.) It’s fitting that Gathering Time should acknowledge the archetypal folk trio.

At my urging, the third song, “Get Together,” was released ahead of the album to folk DJ’s. Given all the anxiety and uncertainty of the year, it seemed like a needed palliative. Gathering Time does justice to the anthem, and, sure enough, it went to #1 on the Folk DJ chart. Even more uplifting is the album’s closer, “Carry On,” with the group in full CSNY mode, complete with Gerry McKevney contributing a scintillating electric guitar. Let’s hope “love is coming to us all!” (By the way, the cover of the album, designed by Hillary Foxsong, is a nod to the first Crosby, Stills, and Nash cover, with the three members sitting outdoors on a beat-up sofa with Hillary in the middle holding a guitar.)

Hillary also deserves special credit for outstanding solos on three songs by female artists – Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen,” Laura Nyro’s “And When I Die,” and Joni Mitchell’s “River” – but also give credit to Gerry and Stuart Markus for their supple backing vocals. Gerry does a nice lead on “Abraham, Martin & John” and Stuart on the Grateful Dead’s “Ripple.” The group shows off their vocal blend on a couple more folk-rock classics – Ian and Sylvia’s “You Were on My Mind” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” – and the title track, which recalls Simon & Garfunkel’s delicate harmonies without being slavish.

These songs are indeed Old Friends, and the album reminds us why they’ve been part of the soundtrack of our lives. It’s a tribute not just to the songs, but to Gathering Time’s growth. I’m delighted to designate it the “Sunday Supper” Spotlight Album of the Month for September.