You may know her as the lead singer and fiddler for the band, The Barefoot Movement,” but folk artist, Noah Wall, has released her own solo album, Down Home Blues. Though cover songs, Wall sings the blues in this 16-track album backed up by fellow bandmates playing multiple instruments. Building her career from the ground up, Wall has made it far in her career. Raised in a rural town in North Carolina, Wall established her career in Knoxville, TN while becoming a radio host, touring with her band, “The Barefoot Movement”, and even doing voice overs for audio books, YouTube channels, and video games. The multi-talented musician is now exploring her solo career as she releases album, Down Home Blues.
The album starts off with the track “Down Home Blues,” where Wall makes her statement that this is her own album and it is different than what we are used to hearing from her. The song is a somewhat acoustic song with a couple instruments and Wall’s voice. The track has traditional blues melody and lyrics. Throughout the album, the blues tracks alternate with hints of bluegrass, folk, a bit of gospel, like in track, “Down by the Riverside,” which felt like a choir in church should be singing along in the background. “Sittin’ on Top of the World” and “Red Hot,” Wall emphasizes more of her voice, whereas, other songs she lowers her pitch to create more intensity for the song, much like “St. James Infirmary.” No matter what, it is obvious that Noah has a beautiful voice that is clear and clean.
Down Home Blues just sets a scene in the south, personally thinking of Louisiana, where this album would be playing in the streets with some delicious soul food and dancing. Wall has a remarkable talent as a vocalist and multi-performer. Though several of the song were covers, one thing is for sure, the world is ready for another solo album.
Written by Hannah Schaeffer