Baldy Crawlers, the project of songwriter, producer, and luthier Martin Maudal, presents “Bring Me a Flower,” a haunting single that blends folk traditions with contemporary social commentary. Drawing inspiration from the legend of the vigilantes oscuros, the track tells of border-crossing journeys and resulting experiences of compassion-less policy. Maudal’s decade-long experience in New York’s live scene, combined with his craft in building custom instruments through Maudal Musical Machines, contributes to the track’s lovely fusion of roots, soul, and experimental folk
The track opens with warming accordion and acoustic guitar, evolving seamlessly into Norrell Thompson’s commanding vocal presence. “Oh, bring me a flower, thou dark mountain watcher,” she sings with ample mystique. “I’ll bring you myself and I’ll grant you a boon.” The lyrics are poetic in addressing the “vigilantes oscuros” — “they say that you’ve been there, on the ridge o’er centuries” — and infusing a modern thematic pull.
A multi-vocal affection then takes hold, beckoning to escape to “high away to the place where la lucha won’t find me, and the hounds of la migra do all lose their way.” Especially inviting accordion work, Carl Byron, captivates as the final minute arrives, featuring further “high away” soaring aspirations and harmonious vocal power. “Bring Me a Flower” is an emotively moving success from Baldy Crawlers, who meld classic folk aesthetics with poignant thematic pursuits of immigration and persecution that follows.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
