A relaxed and positive collection of songs.
‘Dream in Color’ is Vaughan’s fifth album which comes from a transition and change in his life. After fourteen years in Los Angeles, he has returned to his native Kentucky to a much calmer environment. He also welcomed a new baby into his family, so it has been a new refreshed start.
‘Farmer’s Almanac’ encapsulates the feeling, reflecting a return to his farm, growing hemp, and raising cattle. Beginning with a lovely acoustic finger-picking style and gently builds as the track continues “I missed the cattle grazing, cutting them honeysuckle vines. I missed fixing what’s broken out on that fence line…. I want to worry about the weather and whether it’s rained enough.” The harmonica and piano lift this simple but joyful track very nicely.
‘Fate,’ evolved from thinking there would be nothing worse than having a child with a woman you can’t stand. ‘I realized how lucky I have been“, Stoll declared. “The stars aligned, and fate was kind to me”. A song for lovers. Standout track is ‘Killing Floor’ which begins with a church organ then gentle rhythmic drumming followed by a tight gutsy southern slide guitar. It has a definite bluesy feel to it and is reminiscent of Dave Alvin.
The overall feel of the album is a very positive can-do one. In ‘The Thick of It‘ he states “You got to keep your gloves up when you are down in the thick of it”. It’s a very understated but uplifting collection of songs to spend time with. His faith does play a very important part in the process which is apparent in a number of the tracks. Stoll sums up his process, “For me, I just need a little space to allow things to come into focus, for deeper blues, deeper reds, and darker blacks. Even in the simplest observations, the whole world can change. Dream In Color is a continuation of my search and expression of this beautiful life.”
This is a very nice explanation of what seems to be a very contented album made by someone who is obviously extremely relaxed in his environment. Well worth checking out.
