B. B. Cole’s continuing ascent into the first tier of modern traditionalist singer/songwriters hits its next high point with her sophomore album release. Of Love and Loss isn’t a concept album, but Cole’s twelve songs wrestle with those themes in assorted ways. There’s heartache, joy, anger, regret, humor, and betrayal rife throughout the release. Cole unquestionably proves that she’s capable of conveying material such as this with increased sensitivity and a growing understanding of how to please her audience. Her identity keeps emerging, full force, and you’ll likely finish listening to these songs convinced Cole hasn’t yet reached her peak.
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It’s close though. Her duet with Marc Miner, “(The Tale of) Lady Primrose” begins Of Love and Loss with one of its best songs. Cole and Miner build a kinetic vocal dialogue that floods Primrose’s tale with added cinematic heft. There are deft, nuanced turns layered through the lyrics that the singing emphasizes with suitable drama. “Poor Beatrice” matches the opener’s excellence. However, it has a different musical personality, and the entwining strands of bluegrass, country, and folk song lyrical constructs, topped with Cole’s soulful vocals, position this as one of the album’s best.
“The Lion and the Virgin” crackles with first take off-the-cuff spontaneity. Cole adopting a classic shuffle arrangement as a vehicle for this lyric is a shrewd move. It pays off in several ways. One of the most important is how keeping things simple puts extra onus on the lyrics to make a case for its value. It focuses our attention on the words. It likewise turns the spotlight more on Cole to invest those words with the needed emotion. She doesn’t disappoint. “The Sun Song” pairs unexpectedly well with the preceding song. Cole revels in her capacity for surprise by turning into an all-out blues, complete with a wailing lead guitar, and delivers one of her most atmospheric vocals.
“A Stolen Heart” is another stylistic 180-degree turn. Cole dispenses with the bucket of blood blues heard in “The Sun Song” in favor of artful folk-pop. Echoes of country and bluegrass persist, of course, and some listeners will call that violin a fiddle but it’s Cole reaching for something beyond the standard purist approach. It also has another of the album’s best lyrics. The album’s second guest artist, Lorae, contributes stellar vocals for “Over Before It Started”. However, it’s another standout spot for Cole, above all else. The easy country folk-rock of the arrangement is a perfect vehicle for one of her most knowing, considered songs. Many listeners will especially love the understated tempo shifts that mean so much to this performance.
“Hide and Seek” is deeply felt and, in some ways, like a delicate crystal. It has an incandescent aura. Cole and the musicians capture a moment spurred by another exceptional lyric and her mesmerizing vocal performance. It’s the longest track on Of Love and Loss, but never self-indulgent. There isn’t a single instance of filler found among Of Love and Loss’ dozen songs, and it is safe to say she’s advanced from her already excellent debut. The future is bright for B.B. Cole.
Heather Savage