Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell: Begonias

It would be too easy to bring up the Whiskeytown reference when reviewing Begonias by Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell. Not only for the reason that it is Cary’s most well known endeavor, but also for the similarity in female-male vocal pairing. At one time, Whiskeytown was the preeminent country band in popular music marketing circles, based purely on Ryan Adams’ earnest twang and attempts to break hearts at any cost. Whereas Adams has continued down this path, Caitlin Cary, along with Thad Cockrell, has gone on to fully and successfully explore the classic country duet. Therefore the Whiskeytown mention is irrelevant, so I won’t even bring it up.

The duet has been a staple of classic country, inspiring the pairings of Johnny Cash and June Carter, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and even Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias. On Begonias, Cockrell and Cary are closer to the rock-infused harmonizing of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. The perfection of harmonies and chemistry is evident from the onset with the track “Two Different Things”. Seamlessly and beautifully intertwining their vocals, it makes you root for the breakup. “Please Break My Heart” was included on Cary’s last solo record, I’m Staying Out. It is reminiscent of the sleepy languor of Pasty Cline, but as a duet the Cline-esque daydream is shattered and turned into a regret filled plea.

Though the album is ballad laden, the inclusion of rock-heavy “Second Option” and the honky tonk inspired “Party Time” do insert a needed barroom break. The best tracks, however, are those where Cockrell takes the lead, soaring nearly out of reach, with Cary providing the firm backdrop needed to weave their voices together. This bittersweet tension only helps to intensify the heartbreaking lyrics.

The inclusion of “Conversations About a Friend (Who’s in Love with Katie)” and Percy Sledge’s “Warm and Tender Love” seemingly strays from the country standard outlined by the rest of the track listing. The former is summarized within its own title and recounts the details of love gone astray from an objective point of view. The rendition of Sledge’s soulful ballad starts with a sparse hum that crescendos into organs and a base line that wrap you in and save you from the self-pity and heartache that they were previously trying to convince you of. Despite the seeming break of form, each of these songs perfectly highlights the two vital components of country music — straightforward yet emotional storytelling, and passionate, yearning vocals.

“Two Different Things” was written impromptu during the taping of a NPR show hosted by Thad. This exemplifies the organic collaboration between Cary and Cockrell that you can sense throughout Begonias. This perfect union and the stunning harmonies are betrayed by the failing relationship reflected upon within the album. Cockrell and Cary allude to the classic country duets more than recreating them, though this may not have necessarily been their intent. However, the album thoroughly succeeds in injecting a much-needed dose of traditional country into the alt.country label under which it will be lazily categorized.