The always enchanting, deeply moving organic music of the collaborative and profound Right Click is a musical corner of the world that genuinely deserves to be visited, experienced, and celebrated.
There’s something about this group of lifelong musicians untied in their passion for evocative songwriting, their humility and heart, their timeless harmonies, melodies, and the sheer passion and modesty combined that intoxicates in a soft, subtle but striking way.
Right Click #2 is exactly what the title promises, another round of modern recordings from the mighty band that is Brian Wooten, Marvin Taylor, Sid Hagan, and Mare Carmody. It features seven new songs, and each reflects on the highs and lows of life, the passing of time, the weight of growing older, and the epiphanies that often come with getting to.
Beginning with a beautiful reworking of David Crosby’s song Delta, Right Click present a fine production of live acoustic guitar and evocative, intimate vocals. This song was originally for the CSN album Daylight Again, from 1982, but David sadly never got to sing it due do addiction issues. Sid Hagan’s beautiful and natural voice has blessed and reawakened the poetry and uplifting wonder of the song, and the chorus crescendo, the unity, this choir-like charm and brightness, is just a dream to lose yourself within.
The song is followed by something a little more upbeat. Surrender features Brian on vocals, his own songwriting too, and the approach is still thoughtful and evocative but joyous, with Faith and celebration again elevated by these seamless harmonies and shoulder-swaying guitar-led grooves.
After this, the legendary Sid Hagan himself connects with honesty and vulnerability, in relaying his experience of lying Awake At Night, worrying about his adult twin sons who are both impacted by Asperger’s Syndrome. The poetry is powerful, the melody simple but stunning, and the style unconfined by genre or generation. For anyone who has parented a child with extra needs into adulthood, into this fast-paced world we share – this one is for you. Sid’s realism and poetic wonder is quite sublime in its purity and introspection.
Then we get Bittersweet, a little lighter sonically, with acoustic fingerpicking and the gorgeous vocals of Mare Carmody bringing to life a wonderfully engaging song, with an unexpectedly big and bright chorus that’s absolutely worth hearing.
Mare continues to guide us as we move into the story of an elderly lady from her past, as Carry Me With You depicts a unique perspective on relationships or acquaintances, the value of daily interactions, with relatable twists of storytelling, imagery, and an intimate acoustic welcome.
We then move back into Sid’s songwriting, for So Many Miles – a comforting classic with a driving feel that sees the world passing by at speed, as the comfort of the sound keeps you cosy and contemplative inside the vehicle.
Then to finish, Right Click bring the blues-rock swagger and soul, for the addictive groove and short, snappy lines of Brian’s song It Just Ain’t Right. The song is about friendship again, and the sadly widespread struggle of living with Parkinson’s Disease. On the surface, a classic blues tune, but as ever, Right Click make sure that depth and meaning light up each of their songs, and this unique angle adds something boldly human and captivating to the set-up.
Their songwriting consistently raises the bar for the Right Click crew of musicians, and this project – Right Click #2 – is a soulful, humble yet sensational ode to that fact.
