By James Calemine
Quiet Little Room serves as Mandolin Orange’s debut studio release. This Carrboro team recorded these compositions at the Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. These 12 songs capture the work of a talented duo.
Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz possess a strong chemistry. The two produced this album. Marlin plays guitar, bass, mandolin and organ while Franz handles fiddle, viola and rhythm guitar duties. Their harmonizing evokes the Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris territory, and that’s a heavy comparison, but Mandolin Orange’s aspiration appears high.
The quiet “These Old Wheels” opens the disc, and retains a smooth, dry sonic quality with great harmonizing. Franz sings lead vocal on “Your Cryin’ Eyes”. Her voice carries undeniable strength in its soothing effect. Franz’s fiddle playing sounds like smoke rings floating in the air…
Marlin’s lead vocal on “Wee Bird” captures the listener’s attention by the lyrical narrative. “Easy” finds both Franz and Marlin playing guitars and singing lead vocals, which constructs a tapestry weaved by pure harmony and melody. “Modern Man”, a light-hearted ditty, fits well in this song sequence that carries a laid back mood.
“One More Down” demonstrates the proficient musical abilities of Mandolin Orange, and continues the Sunday morning reflective coherence. Franz delivers a great vocal performance on “Night Owl”, a country number. “A Thousand Amen” sounds like back porch gospel in Appalachia.
“Lullaby” captures the essence of this duo. “Poor Boy Poor Me” showcases deft acoustic instrumentation. The closing track, “Quiet Little Turnaround”, features Marlin playing banjo and Franz on fiddle in a beautiful little country instrumental. With the sensory texture this song conjures…you can almost smell the flowers in the field…
Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger counts as the second album from Mandolin Orange. Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz, North Carolina natives, comprise Mandolin Orange. Their first CD, Quiet Little Room showcased their undeniable chemistry.
In the old days, Haste/Make/Hard Hearted Stranger would’ve been called a double album. In this case, each album was recorded at separate studios. For the most part, Haste Make is a quiet acoustic affair. It’s a collection of songs best heard on a Sunday morning or twilight.
Between Marlin and Franz, they play guitar, mandolin, bass, organ and viola. Their vocal harmonies retain a rare effect. The compositions that stand out on Haste Make include the title track, “Lines On the Floor”, “Not A Word”, “Ships Sail Away” and the gem “Angel”.
“Big Men In the Sky” opens Hard Hearted Stranger with a back country road spirit. “Clover Tune” emits a dreamy landscape…like hearing a distant train. “Killer”, a haunting number, showcases the golden voice of Emily Franz. “Hard Hearted Stranger” resonates the heart-rending intention of Mandolin Orange.
“Next To Nothing” evokes generations of music being played in the Appalachian mountains. Marlin’s storytelling tune “Train Song” really keeps the rain out–a soundproof number on all levels. The melancholy of “Darling Girl” proves memorable. Hard Hearted Stranger closes with a reflective composition titled “Birds of A Feather”.
Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger, by all accounts, verifies Mandolin Orange’s future is bright as the sun…