Vetiver, Thing of the Past

by dave heaton

The album cover is a purposely retro-looking photo of a woman sitting amongst a collection of records, holding one on display. Together with the title Thing of the Past, it’s as if she’s holding the record out as an exhibition: ‘Look, this is a thing of the past.’ The truth is, vinyl sales are up and show no signs of slowing. For many young music collectors, it’s not a thing of the past. Still, Vetiver’s covers album reeks of dusty vinyl. It’s the clear result of musicians who have spent countless hours playing old, even forgotten, records.

The 12 songs on Thing of the Past are mostly covers of ‘60s/’70s songwriters, from travellin’ troubadours like Townes Van Zandt and Michael Hurley (who are knowingly paired in succession) to hippie folkie types like Norman Greenbaum. Vetiver’s versions of these songs are spirit-perfect, capturing the essence of the originals with understanding born of countless listens. Listen to their sensitive reading of Bobby Charles’ “I Must Be in a Good Place Now”, which closes the album, for one. It sounds like it could have been recorded the same year as the original, or could have been recorded in the future. It sounds like it was recorded in no time, like it’s been floating in the breeze.

My favorite track on the album is their banjo-ified take on Loudon Wainright III’s “The Swimming Song”, but it’s all excellent. And the album holds together as an album. It’s sequenced right; it doesn’t sound like a grab-bag. If nothing else, Thing of the Past should be a reminder of how much great music is out there waiting to be heard. It should send music fans of all ages straight to their local used record shops and libraries, digging into the past.

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