Atlanta based singer/songwriter Clay Harper is known for his work with bands like The Coolies and Ottoman Empire, a couple of children’s albums, and two previous solo albums (2013’s Old Airport Road and 2018’s Bleak Beauty), and even as a restaurateur. Harper wears a lot of hats but still found the time to record his third solo album Dirt Yard Street – a stripped-down introspective album with a mix of dusky folk and jazz influences. Harper distinctly raspy vocals are backed by minimal instrumentation including the doe-eyed dobro, dulcimer, tenor saxophone piano. The album brings to mind the work of Lambchop or some of or Tom Waits’ early recordings. The unadorned melancholic collection of songs perfectly complements many of the album’s themes of loneliness and loss. Standout tracks include: the hypnotic opening title-track; the heartbreaking tale of a lonely man struggling with suicidal thoughts on “All the Mail Comes to Neighbor”; the tender confessional piano ballad “A Poem on a Pillow”; the slow-burning “Life on a Windowsill”; the brooding song “Maybe I’ll Be There”; and the reflective banjo-tinged closing track “Somewhere There’s A Fire Waiting.” Clay Harper is a gifted songwriter and Dirt Yard Street beautifully conveys tales of loss, heartbreak and struggle. Dirt Yard Street is an excellent release and a great listen. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Coolies, Bill Fay, Lambchop, Ottoman Empire, Tom Waits