Now Playing: Julia Kasdorf’s ‘Motel’

Julia Kasdorf has just released a new album. It’s titled simply Motel. But first, for those not yet familiar with the artist in question, a bit o’ background.

Julia Kasdorf

Julia Kasdorf is an American singer-songwriter, and musician. She has toured and performed live most of her life. Her resume is highlighted by three previous platters.

Signature sound

Julia Kasdorf’s signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including (but not necessarily limited to) bluegrass, roots, rock, and soul.

Motel

Motel is an 11-track album. It has a running time of over 42 minutes. Here Kasdorf leads the way on acoustic guitar and vocals.

She is ably assisted by an assortment of other artists including Mike Audit (guitar), Jon Carroll (electric guitar, organ, piano, percussion, and background vocals), Buddy Dunlap (fiddle, rhythm guitar, and background vocals), Dwayne Nitz, and Russ Lawton (drums), Gary Ferguson (mandolin, guitar, and acoustic guitar), Ron McGuire (keyboards and background vocals), Brian Simms (organ), Walter Tates (saxophone), Dave Tegelaar (guitar), Ranger Kasdorf (clapping and background vocals) and Lynn Kasdorf (upright bass, Fender jazz bass, guitar/resonator, pedal steel, and background vocals).

Track by Track

The album opens on “Old Coat” It’s a loving, dedicated cover of a song written by Elaina Mezetti, Mary Travers, and Noel P. Stookey.

The second selection is “Motel.” Upon listening it becomes immediately clear why this one was chosen as the title track. It’s certainly a standout alt-country ballad and Kasdorf’s first original on this disc. Your randy writer must confess some of the best times of his adult life have been in a motel, for sure!)

Next is “The Minute I’m Gone.” This one is an original, fun soulful song with a bit of swampy struttin’ to it for good measure. While this on-and-off relationship song might be a prerequisite, Kasdorf owns it and makes it work nonetheless.

“Cool Water” follows here. There is definitely something about this track that is familiar but your rockin' writer can’t quite put his finger on it. Maybe you’ll have better luck.

“Long Chain” is a solid cover of a Jimmie Driftwood tune “He Had A Long Chain On.” Even though it was covered by Peter, Paul, and Mary, and a few other artists in the past, Kasdorf manages to remain truer to the original and make it her own at the same time.

“Girls Gotta Know” works especially well following the previous cover and Kasdorf’s signature sound remains strong and solid as she humorously womanplains how women are when it comes to dating and relationships...

“Cold Saturday” is another example of a song that sounds like it was a labor of love. The mandolin somehow adds something to it and helps the song stand on its own. (Mind you, she gives away her age a bit with the Saturday morning cartoon reference but, hey, a gal with a guitar is already ahead of the game, Besides, it takes some life experience to truly appreciate this one.)

“Walk Your Dog” is a musical romp that rocks. You get the feeling that Kasdorf and company have fun playing it. (Get that collar and leash ready, guys.) Also included here is the intimate, quiet cut “Reservations.” This little two-sided, realistic “love song” might be a bit overshadowed by the previous piece. Nevertheless, it still has its own little identity. Kasdorf’s last cover cut here is “Lover’s Farewell.” It’s actually an A-P Carter composition although Kasdorf breathes new life into it without taking it too far off-track.

The closing cut is the eco-friendly anthem “Blue Veil.” While one might expect little but liberal lyrics more suitable for the 1960s, Kasdorf’s cut is not only more current but non-partisan to boot, pointing the finger of blame squarely where it belongs.

Kasdorf commented on the cut saying: “I wrote ‘Blue Vei’ about four years ago. It's still wretchedly relevant, alas. My dearest dream is that this song would be reduced to a quaint anachronism, like gout and whalebone corsets. “

Overall…

Overall, this album is entertaining and personal. Each cut sounds like a song that was meant to be somehow revelatory of Kasdorf’s personality and perceptions. Every song offers insight.

Indeed, even the choice of themes tells even the casual listener something. Additionally, the disc contains cuts that seem somehow familiar and yet new at the same time. So check out Julia Kasdorf’s Motel and find out just what “Girls Gotta Know.”

(Images courtesy of​ Julia Kasdorf)