Image“Bring Me Back My Heart” was the first song that The Carper Family belted out at the Barnes’ House concerts in northwest Houston and it pretty much summed up the evening. Sixty-four folks settled into every nook ‘n cranny of their newly remodeled home to witness some good ole country harmonizing. 

TCF consists of Beth Chrisman on fiddle, Jenn Miori on guitar and namesake Melissa Carper on stand up bass.  All took turns singing, but it was not a song swap – just talented vocalists who could all pull their weight. 

“Get Lost” was a tender new song about spending time with a loved one in this fast paced and sometimes frustrating world we live in. It was really neat to see how their voices could blend immaculately and then shift gears to kick some ass when need be.

They made songs from the 1950’s sound new like Loretta Lynn’s “Mean Old Mister Blue”,  Hanks Williams’ “If You Want to Be My Baby”,  bluesgrass jammer “Jim and Jesse” and “There Is A Fool Such As I”. 

“Old Fashioned Gal” was their 2013 release and it had some heavy hitters playing on it the likes of Bill Kirchen, Brennen Leigh, Emily Gimble and stud Lisa Pankratz on drums! 

The harmonies were never better than on tongue in cheek funny “Bad Attitude” , “I Almost Forgot” and “Love Me Like You Used To” written by an old Austin friend.  Thee infectious unique retro style of these Austin based ladies captivated thee audience big time with the mature crowd hooting their approval often and boistrously. 

Down to earth does not say it enough for this young talented trio. Especially when Nebraska raised Melissa, affectionately known as Daddy, told us about her goats she raises on a farm in Bastrop!  Crisman got her country roots from Alaska and has been a mainstay in Austin bluegrass scene since 2006.  Miori is Texas born and raised and has been a country music fan since an early age. 

ImageI like the self stated values of the band which are in their words: “Country music isn’t just about entertaining; it’s also about understanding, honoring, and developing American country communities in the city as well as the farm”.  They spread their message crisscrossing North America and Europe including trips to festivals in Alaska and Norway! 

The trio blazed to the finish with a really good Williams’ number “Cool Water” which included a groovin’ mumbo jumbo bass jam by Melissa,  a smokin’ “How Long Can You Live Without Me” that they learned while touring with Canadians, very popular “Coming on Strong” and rousing encore of “Boxcar Blues”.

What a different and entertaining evening of relaxing harmonies wrapped around tales of negotiating the road of life from three talented ladies with passion. 

If you are not aware of it as of yet, Mr.Bill and Deanna, with ample help from their daughter Tracey,  got it goin’ on and the food lay out was lights out delicious once again, too. They can be reached at : bildeann@swbell.net .  

Get off your duff and go see some stuff will ya??!!