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July 26, 2007

Online Exclusive

Music Review

A Spiritual Find

Aside from a few mood swings, artist’s latest album educates and entertains

Story by: Cassie Smith

The Shorthorn Scene editor

Terri Hendrix’s latest CD, The Spiritual Kind, is an interesting combination of folk, swing, jazz, pop and country music that actually provides for a lovely listen.

Her album releases Aug. 7 and is the ninth she has produced independently. Harmonica, mandolin, Dobro, guitar and percussion fill each song with interesting variations, the guitar and harmonica playing the heaviest roles.

“Life’s a Song” is a head-bobbin’ song accompanied by the sounds of a banjo. While touring, Hendrix holds workshops around the country based on the philosophy this song discusses.

Originally written by Jimmy Driftwood, “What is the Color of the Soul” is about the small-mindedness of racism. “A red man married a snow-white maid, and all their kids are copper shade. You know what puzzles me both day and night, will their children’s souls be red or white.” Hendrix takes a lighthearted approach to the issue, adding a few verses of her own about “chicken-fried” people and how racism hurts people.

Hendrix admits she doesn’t normally write love songs, but “Soul of My Soul” is a good example of what happens when she does. This carefree song eloquently combines different patterns played by the guitars to suit the lyrics. “Soul of my soul, skin of my skin, I breathe you out, I breathe you in.”

The CD plays smoothly in your ear until dreaded track eight, when Hendrix apparently put on her straw hat and forgets to take the tobacco out of her mouth before singing “Things Change.” “Then both my folks were in the hospital the same week, the week I buried my dog, and the only one who sent me a card was my gynecologist, ’cause I missed my appointment.”

Fortunately, the next track, “No Love in Texas,” saves her from the horrible embarrassment of the previous track. “I can’t get no love in Texas, it’s just hot air and cactus. All work and taxes, red lights and traffic. You know I can’t get no love.”

Hendrix ends with “Mood Swing,” which plays exactly as the song’s title describes it. It goes from a smooth jazz beat to a fast-stepping swing song and back again. A tribute to the musicians who have inspired her, Hendrix ends her ninth album on a high note.