By Alix Cohen
This is a terrific presentation, terrific. Rarely do components come together with such finesse, feeling and craftsmanship. History and tradition provide whole cloth through which Sarah Carson deftly weaves her own ancestry. Vocals emerge with folk cadence and heart.
Just enough well written storytelling arrives with sincerity, detail and the bonus of illuminating, projected images. Arrangements are both bespoke to Carson’s voice and to evocative material. Those songs which are familiar unexpectedly align with narrative. The artist connects with her audience. She sees us and lets herself be seen. A panoply of emotion feels authentic.
“Calon Lan” – performed in Welsh- draws us in to another time, another culture. On its heels, “My Love Letter to Wales” (The Blims) changes the very atmosphere of the club: …where our heritage begins see the choir standing guard/presided over ancient hills/i hear poetry, and language/tales of hope and liberty/i smile and finally/I remember what my whole life means to me…
“I wasn’t born in Wales, it was born in me,” Carson tells us. We’re shown images of the mining town from which her lineage rose. Pits kept the people alive. Boys went I lawr (down) starting at 13. “Dark as a Dungeon” sets a scene of dirt, danger and struggle. (Merle Travis- recorded by Dolly Parton whose mother was Welsh)
Carson’s grandfather, the first of three (unrelated) men named Morgan her Nana married, was paralyzed in an accident. Children weren’t allowed in hospitals. Her mom wrote letters (we see onscreen) to “Darling Daddy.” “Day After Day” (Badfinger) describes in harmony: Looking out of my lonely gloom/ Day after day…
“Owain Glyndwr” takes us back to the nobleman who freed Wales from English rule in the Middle Ages. Droll interjections by Stark include “Yay, Owen!”, “Huzzah!”, “What’s his name?”, and “the man of the hour” which make the song seem of its people. Carson holds a faux sword. (Barry Mason/Les Reed-The song became Tom Jone’s “Delilah”- new lyrics by Sarah Carson)
Though miners were essential, therefore exempt, the artist’s taid (grandfather) signed up for WWI…and was subsequently declared missing in action. “Keep the Homefires Burning” and “Soldier Lad” (Ivor Novello, born in Cardiff) are performed with straight-backed stoicism.Carson and Stark then sing in counterpoint.One imagines necessity bravery, the heat of collective determination.It’s moving.
In 1966, a massive heap of coal waste slid down a mountainside in the village of Aberfan, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and several homes.116 children and 28 adults died.“Total Eclipse of the Heart” (Jim Steinman- performed by Bonnie Tyler, born in New South Wales) takes on different meaning than that to which we’re accustomed. It arrives a raw lament.The story, accompanied by stirring piano, includes quotes by some who were there. Carson empathizes. Images are devastating.
The only selection unrelated to Welsh origin is “I Survived Llanfair” = “I Will Survive” (Freddie Perren/ Dino Ferkaris- additional lyrics by Sarah Carson) A playful take on pronunciation of Welsh words, it finds us parroting the enormous name of a town, syllable by syllable.
We see three generations of staunch Welsh women, Sarah is the fourth. “She’s the One” (Karl Wallanger, born in New South Wales) epitomizes Carson’s emotions: I was her/She was me/We were one/We were free/And if there’s somebody calling on me/She’s the one…
An infectious “Those Were the Days” (Boris Fomin/Gene Raskin- performed by Mary Hopkins, born Prestatyn, Wales) elicits clapping in time followed by enthusiastic “la, las.” “We’ll Keep a Welcome in the Hillside” (Mai Jones/Lyn Joshua/Jimmy Harper- Jones is Welsh) ends an evening watched over by her grandfather’s lantern on the piano. It’s as if with it, we’ve born witness.
The show is proud, poignant, and entertaining. Sarah Carson is an artist to be watched.
Almost all featured songs are written, performed, or composed by Welsh artists or by musicians with Welsh family heritage.
Photos by Jeff Harnar
Sarah Carlson–A Welcome in the Hillside- My Love Letter to Wales
Musical Director/Back up vocals – Tracy Stark
Director – Lennie Watts
Don’t Tell Mama 343 West 46th Street
https://donttellmamanyc.com/
