
Chris Slaten's stage name is Son of Laughter. He wraps stories in musical notes and offer these gifts to willing appreciators. I first heard his newest album "No Story is Over" over a year ago while driving from Memphis to Middle Tennessee--a four or five hour drive. I downloaded it before accelerating toward the wedding I'd attend later that day. I pressed play and listened all the way through. Got gas--listened through again. Ate lunch--gave it another spin the last leg of the trip.
There is so much to say about so many of the songs but I will keep it short today and nudge you to listen to the first song which I'll link here. The song is called Voting Day. It has all the Paul Simon you could wish for with all the relevance our current political and religious climate necessitates. It manages to avoid preachy-ness but definitely preaches well. It weds gospel and folk--two musical forms historically suited to addressing injustice which it meets with tangible hope.
This song manages the impossible call to pledge allegiances wisely while invoking foot tappin' fun. It is subversive all-the-while folk-pop joy. AND, it does all this in 2 minutes 10 seconds. Well done Chris. Our world needs such a song in such a time as this.
Give it a listen.