Music: Hymn For Her

We went to Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe on North Nebraska in Tampa yesterday to party with Ernie on this Soul Food Sunday. We had heard that the food at Ella's was tasty and delicious, and it was; however, what really drew me to Ella's yesterday was the entertainment. Hymn For Her was playing from 4 to 7. Who and what is Hymn For Her you might ask. I certainly did when our daughter Mish mentioned they were going to be at Ella's. I pulled up their web site and checked out their video.



I was hooked! But, that was just a small taste of what I experienced at Ella's. It is still hard to believe that so much fantastic, original music was generated by just two people.

Of course, to be fair, it should be pointed out that between Lucy and Wayne there were at least six instruments involved, though not all at the same time...but close. There were several guitars, a banjo, harmonica, bass drum, top hat, and the most versatile three string cigar box guitar. Hymn For Her also possessed two more amazing instruments, and those were their beautiful voices alone and in harmony.

Trying to define their music is somewhat akin to trying to identify all of the subtle nuances of a Domaine Romanée-Conti, arguably the most rarefied and expensive wine in the world. Was it rock, country, blues, folk? Yes, and with refined hints of jazz, metal, and new-age all of which lifted their melodies to energetic heights that contrasted and blended and were pleasing to my musical palate. Holy shit! I think I just impressed myself.


Most importantly, though, is that Hymn For Her is totally original. They have their own style and their own compositions. And, they put on one hell of a great, energetic performance.


A couple of final thoughts:


Far be it for me to pick nits, but while Wayne played as many as four instruments at the same time, I never saw Lucy play more than one at a time... albeit superbly and interchangeably. Possibly Lucy needs to kick it up a notch? Possibly I need to sit down and shut-up?


While Hymn For Her is currently a duo they could be a trio sometime down the road. Wayne mentioned to me that their very precious daughter told him the other day that he needs to teach her the guitar. So, get to teachin' Dad. 


And for the rest of us, we need to support talented and original performers, not just Hymn For Her, but all of those who are ignored by the main stream music media, radio, TV, and the record labels simply because they don't sound like everyone else...such as the crap typically presented by American Idol.