"Precious seconds"

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Autumn, 2002 by Sarah B. Hood

Mose Scarlett "Precious Seconds" Borealis BCD146.

Wielding a voice that soothes the spirit like a warm cup of coffee going down, Mose Scarlett croons through fifteen great old songs, infusing the chestnuts like "Somebody Stole My Gal" with freshness, and showing off less familiar material like "Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down" with a thoughtful, deft, gentle, thorough musicianship. (Those who enjoy tracking the permutations of popular songs will enjoy comparing Scarlett's version of "He's in the Jailhouse Now" with the one featured in the film 0 Brother Where Art Thou?.) His guitar work is mellow and unhurried but nowhere near dull, and when he mingles his picking with that of "second" guitar players of the calibre of Jeff Healey, David Wilcox and Amos Garrett, among others, there's a sweet communication and an intimate interplay that pulls back the curtain of human hurts and hopelessness for a little peek at our potential for joy and completeness. Which probably explains the title: it refers both to the guest players themselves and the instants during which their collaboration evokes something even more wonderfully sustaining and lasting than these good songs themselves.