AustinExperience.com - Tucker Livingston

Tucker Livingston

It's evident that the Austin Music Foundation made a wise decision when they selected Tucker Livingston for their Austin Music Incubator program. His self-titled debut CD is a testament to his song writing capabilities. Each of the seven songs paints a picture with skillful wording and a clever play on words. The use of imagery is woven throughout, but no more present than in the song Ship Without a Sea. This song caught me off-guard and captured my full attention.

Make of your heart a stone
Lead skin, steel bones
Make of your mind a wall,
no vine will cling to at all
A ship without a sea can never sink,
baby without me you'll be better off I think
Make of your mouth a door,
my name won't pass through anymore
Make of your red leaf hands, hourglasses of sand,
you won't turn over to give me time...

The song goes on with such vivid descriptions that I can't help but find my self anxious for the next word.

From beginning to end, each track is played with delicate attention to detail, but it is not overly complicated. The soothing melodies created by Tucker and his acoustic guitar are occasionally accented by a hint of piano or electric guitar. Strings add texture to the majority of songs, and Will Taylor gets to lend his expertise in arranging them on All Things and Elements of Youth. Tucker is accompanied by a host of musicians including Abra Moore (backing vocals) and Mitch Watkins (guitars, keyboards, and vocals). Mitch didn't limit his contribution to performing. He also had a hand in some of the recording and mixing in addition to producing the CD.

Tucker Livingston's CD is a welcomed departure from the manufactured pop and rock that flood the airwaves. His contribution to folk music reminds me that songs are meant to stir emotion, provoke thought, and transport us to another place, not just simply sell tennis shoes and french fries.

With such a strong debut, I see a bright future ahead for Tucker Livingston.

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