ALBUM REVIEW: Sophie Wellington Shimmers on 'Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still'
Those who are steeped in tradition often best know where to bend it. With Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still, Sophie Wellington tap-dances on it — literally. Having grown up in trad music with their concert pianist mother (Lynn Mackey) and old time musician and dance caller father (Bill
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Those who are steeped in tradition often best know where to bend it. With Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still, Sophie Wellington tap-dances on it — literally. Having grown up in trad music with their concert pianist mother (Lynn Mackey) and old time musician and dance caller father (Bill Wellington), it seemed inevitable that Wellington would embody the music they make. Her Bright Smile is intriguing for both Wellington’s curation and the percussive approach they take to these songs.
The album kicks off with “Scolding Wife,” showcasing Wellington’s prowess. They play the fiddle tune on flatpick guitar, with an overdub of percussive dance. Wellington makes their guitar turn liquid with harmonic plucking and staccato trills, pushing the envelope on the textures a guitar can provide. (Although Wellington is playing their instruments one at a time here, they are able to play fiddle and dance simultaneously, as can be seen in this jaw-dropping video with Evie Ladin.)
