Listening For Your Call

Colorado-based Orchard Creek—Dave Richardson, vocals, banjo; Keith Murdock, vocals, Dobro; Jan Springer, vocals, guitar, Kevin Slick, vocals, mandolin and Todd Ball on base—emerges fully formed on their first full-length album, with fine musicianship, including some stirring harmonies, as well as intriguing, artfully crafted original songs.

The band’s accomplished harmonies don’t just hint at bluegrass oldies like the Louvin Brothers; they also sometimes bring to mind the Kingston Trio and other leading voices from the long-gone 50s and 60’s folk revival.

These harmonies draw you right in on “Nothing Left Undone” (cowritten by Kevin Slick and Rick Lang). This rousing gospel outing is a man’s pledge to do the best he possible can in terms of honesty and altruism in this world before moving on to the next. 

“Waiting in the Wings” (Dave Richardson) deals with the flip side: those unfortunate souls for whom time runs out before they get around to fulfilling their dreams and ambitions. 

The soulful, minor-key “Things I Wish I Had Now” captures the wistful musings of a man making an inventory of all the things—a ’62 Oldsmobile convertible, a wife, a best friend and an old black dog—that he let slip through his hands.  Another highlight is a spirited cover of the Pierce Pettis classic “Tennessee River.”  

Singer-guitarist Jan Springer weighs on with a pair of fine originals on which she also serves up riveting vocal performances. “The Thrill of the Chase” (which she cowrote with Jerry Salley and Kathleen Stommell) is a haunting ballad about a preacher’s poisonous lust for wealth and treasure. 

The title of the doleful “I Can’t Sing You Are My Sunshine Anymore (Mama’s Gone)” (cowritten by Springer and Keith Murdock) pretty much speaks for itself. As lead singer, Springer also helms “Walk Around Me Jesus,” an uplifting traditional gospel outing penned by Jan Buckner.