The last track to make the cut for “It’s About Time”, the new recording project for Wendy Keith & Her Alleged Band was one that Keith just had to write.
It was late in the recording process, but after being introduced to a Krio proverb, that when translated to English means “the heart is not made of bone” Keith just couldn’t get the expression out of her head.
And after attending a Chris Smither concert, Keith had this urge to jot down a few notes. In an hour she had three versus, a chorus and a bridge.
She sent it to one of her three bandmates, Jack Henry, who came back with a rewritten version. So the two sat down and “rewrote the song chord by chord, word by word,” Keith said.
What resulted was “The Heart Is Not a Bone”, one of 10 original songs on the album – the other nine written by Keith – along with three covers, including “Amazing Grace” written by John Newton. “It’s About Time” is Keith’s fourth album.
On Saturday, Keith, Henry, Doug Farrell and Walden Whitham will be at at Bass Hall in Peterborough for a CD release concert celebration at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7.
Keith likes to write from her experiences – the connections she’s made with others, a beautiful sight or a strong feeling. “To the Moon” is something that evokes memories of telling her kids, now in their 30s, when they were younger that she loved them to the moon and back. There are tracks that touch upon current events and strong feelings she has about the status of things around her like “Government Boys” and “Everyone Belongs”.
“There are good things in the world and bad things in the world, but everyone belongs,” Keith said.
“Riddle Blues” is a song that Keith found in a box in her basement.
The group came together four years ago. Keith had been playing music with Farrell and then brought in Farrell’s Decatur Creek bandmate Henry before adding Whitham (Tattoo and Folksoul) to round out the Alleged Band.
“They’re all like my brothers,” Keith said.
All three have a wealth of musical talents – each playing multiple instruments on the album – while also adding a different dynamic to the vocals.
The four artists from various backgrounds spent roughly two half days a week recording at Loud Sun Studio in Jaffrey from April to January, getting everything just right for mixing and production. The CDs arrived last Thursday, just enough time ahead of the release party.
“When you’re in the studio a couple days a week, it’s nice to drive down the road to Jaffrey,” Keith said.
The other two covers are “Stuff That Works” by Guy Clark and “Cracks in the Sky” by Julie Snow. Keith has known Snow for many years dating back to their time with the women’s songwriting group, The Rolling Crones.
Joining the band on both the album and on stage Saturday night with be 8-year-old Kylee Clark. Keith taught Clark guitar for several years and she was the perfect mix of youth the album needed.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door – if there are any left. Visit the Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough or call them at 924-3543 for tickets.
“Don’t wait till the day of the show because they might be gone,” Keith said.
The CD is available on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes and CD Baby.