Keturah Allgood (photo by Jeremy Ryan)
Keturah Allgood brought music and infectious optimism from the mountains of North Carolina to Nashville for her No Depression Session at Jaan’s House during AmericanaFest 2023, flanked by longtime collaborator Bradford Carson on background vocals and electric guitar. All four of the songs on this ND Session can be heard on Allgood’s new album, Shine.
She prefaces the first song, “Radio,” by telling us that “We’re not as different as they’d have us believe,” which is the song’s main sentiment echoed in the chorus. Allgood’s message — that music has the power to unite — has of course been communicated by countless artists over the years, but Allgood’s unique delivery reinforces the message and makes us believe it deep down. She exudes the positivity that she writes and sings about, it is unmistakable as soon as she walks into the studio.
Allgood tells us that the second song in this ND Session, “Down the Line,” also the second song on Shine, gestated for 18 years before emerging gloriously in its current form. It’s glorious in this duo arrangement with Brad Carson, and it’s glorious on the album in a more fleshed-out configuration including fiddle and drums.
The title track comes next, and true to form, Allgood empathizes with the different circumstances we all experience in our home lives growing up. The song reminds us to keep our spirits up and stay as positive as we can, especially when our domestic situation makes positivity a bigger challenge. Allgood rounds out her ND Session with a tribute to her great-grandfather, Mac McCall, called “Jug O’ Shine.”
Find previous No Depression Sessions at AmericanaFest 2023 here, and look for more soon.
