Label: Thirty Tigers
Released: 16th July 2021
Two years after releasing their debut, duo Stephanie Jean and Chris Turpin are now fully ensconced in the Nashville scene, writing and recording ‘Click Click Domino’ in Tennessee under the tutelage of legendary producer Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, The Vaccines).
They certainly have a few famous friends; Greta van Fleet are along for a guitar solo on ‘Long Gone and Heartworn’ amongst a who’s who of Nashville session musicians. The songs owe everything to their American environs, flitting between country, bluegrass, delta blues folk music with confidence honed from months supporting bands around the United States. Turpin’s vocals aren’t a million miles from Dallas Green (City and Colours) lofty melodies and are complemented by Jean’s nifty harmonies, with the pair swapping lead duties across the record.
Wheels are not being reinvented in this tribute to the American songbook, and the legacy of Dylan, Jack White and Allison Kraus are easy to pick out across the album, but the craft with which Ida Mae deliver their songs elevates them above mere pastiche. Their style might not be suited to conquering the UK charts, but if they can keep impressing their peers Stateside a break is sure to come their way.
