SONS OF THE NEVER WRONG: Church of the Never Wrong
SONS OF THE NEVER WRONG
Church of the Never Wrong
Waterbug 103
Sons, for short, is a trio consisting of Deborah Lader, Bruce Roper and Sue Demel. And their latest, Church of the Never Wrong, is a love letter to their buddies in the Chicago folk scene.
The concept here was to ask area performers to show up at a recording session with two selections they would consider holy in some way. Inherent with showing up would be permission for the band to “sons-i-fy” the cut. The result was “a chance to sing with some of their favorite artists,” admits band member Deb Lauder. Michael Smith, Steve Dawson, Megon McDonough and Mark Dvorak were just some of the Chicagoans involved.
The cuts, and the words that describe them, are as varied as their contributors, sometimes angelic, sometimes celebratory. Father-daughter team Andrew and Casey Calhoun deliver the madrigal-like traditional “People Look East” and former “son” Nancy Walker and current member Sue Demel do an effecting sparse version of the lament “Talk About Sufferin’.”
Cuts vary from traditional to original with various moods of hallelujah and reverence for several divinities of choice. Continuing the “sons-i-ness,” they also credit eight members of the Nuns of the Never Wrong Chapel Band, completing the 20-cut service. A reverent acknowledgement of their 20th year together.
— Angela Page