THE POSSUM TROT ORCHESTRA -- HARBOR ROAD -- Southern Can CDs SCCD 2227 -- December 2006Including the track THE HOUSE THAT WE CAN'T BUY, as heard on NPR's ALL SONGS CONSIDERED\u002FOPEN MIC, April 11, 2007. www.npr.org\u002Fprograms\u002Fasc\u002F******************The first thing to recommend HARBOR ROAD is its warm sound, a nice mesh of acoustic guitars, mandolins, electric guitar, bass (upright and electric) and drums. Often, another element is added, like an accordion on the title track and lap steel on TENNESSEE UNBOUND. Between the clarity of each instrument in the mix and Possum Trot Orchestra's loose performance style, the music breathes and simply sounds good. Susie Suraci and John Minton handle most of the vocals, and while neither would be described as a typical good singer, both bring an unassuming air to their lyrics (I think of their vocal approach as deriving from the Dylan-Neil Young school). Their voices, together and separately, also blend well with the instrumental arrangements. Suraci and Minton have also written most of the material, and have a talent for inserting politics into human stories (THE HOUSE THAT WE CAN'T BUY and BILLY). I suppose that you could also call Possum Trot Orchestra a jam band, thanks to its laid-back vibe, even though this band never jams much. But genres, in the end, never tell you whether a band or album is any good. . . . Possum Trot Orchestra's warm sound, vocal combo, and lyrical flair offer an enjoyable, down-to-earth recording that should appeal to both roots and rock fans.Ronald Lankford, Jr.SING OUT! Summer 20078 OUT OF 10. Subtle and delicate American roots at its finest. . . . After their outstanding 2005 self-titled debut I was eagerly anticipating The Possum Trot Orchestra's latest offering. Not only does it not disappoint, but they've stretched out and expanded their template while retaining all the things that made their last album so great.... The Possum Trots are quiet and delicate players, very much less-is-more people, blending traditional folk and roots styles better than almost anyone. They demonstrate to perfection that it's not necessary to blast out a wall of sound to get your point across. Theirs is thoughtful music, music that repays repeated listens, music that is informed by but not in thrall to the tradition, [with songs that] have the timeless feel of classics like Long Black Veil. . . . A superb and rewarding listen.Jeremy SearleAMERICANA-UK, Liverpool, England, February 2007. www.americana-uk.comThis album contains fourteen tracks--or should I say gems? . . . I'm still dazzled by the original stuff The Possums have to offer. . . . Arranged in old ways or even sounding kind of poppy, sung and played impeccably. . . . HEART LIKE RAILROAD STEEL (that title and that electric slide guitar!) and BUCKEYSTOWN (with catchy chorus and upbeat interplay between 5-string banjo and mandolin) are absolutely gorgeous duets. ED (about a couple in New Orleans the night hurricane Katrina struck, not knowing that the levees broke) and BILLY (about a Korean War veteran: And when they roll them laundry carts \u002F He thinks they're Chinese howitzers, true story?) bring tears to my eyes. . . . The lyrics are featured in the booklet, smart addition, especially for us Europeans, who like to study the subjects! . . . O.K., one more word from me: RECOMMENDED!!Johanna J. BoddeINSURGENT COUNTRY, Marburg, Germany, January 2007www.insurgentcountry.netMany of the songs deal literally or metaphorically with the state of the union, but never in a heavy-handed or awkward way. The songs on HARBOR ROAD are short stories, often cinematic in scope, tackling weighty topics like disaster relief, veterans affairs, corporate takeover of radio airwaves, the rising cost of housing, Nashville's star-making machinery and more. But like folk troubadours from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan to Billy Bragg, the Possums balance the matters of the world with politics of the heart--and songs like TENNESSEE UNBOUND, WINTERLIGHT, APPETITE, and the gorgeous album closer, WONDERFUL, deal with love and loss in a mature, daring way. . . . HARBOR ROAD is [the Possums'] best [album] yet, and stands tattered shoulder to tattered shoulder with recent Americana releases by the likes of John Prine, Shawn Colvin, Nanci Griffith and Neil Young.Matt KelleyWHATZUP: HEARTLAND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Columbia City, Indiana, January 4, 2007www.whatzup.comHARBOR ROAD is the second album by this outstanding Fort Wayne, Indiana-based four-piece band, a vehicle for the literate (non-collaborative) songwriting of members John Minton and Susie Suraci. (The other members are multi-instrumentalist Rob Suraci and mandolinist Dave Kartholl.) The Possum Trot Orchestra, which defines itself as a modern folk outfit, fashions its personality out of tradition-inspired ideas set in pop and rock structures. . . . This is early 20th-century stringband music for the early 21st century. . . . Susie Suraci's songs are more poppish than Minton's--you could say they validate the otherwise ordinarily abused practice of country-pop-- though their respective styles mesh amazingly well. As an academic folklorist and scholar of traditional music, Minton composes material that takes off from venerable themes and characters--striking workers, wounded soldiers, rambling hobos, would-be victims matching wits with the devil--and peppers it with folksong-derived quotes (heart like railroad steel, doney gal, the girl I left behind). Yet the results don't come across as an effort to recreate the sounds of old tunes (not, of course, that there's anything wrong with that). The melodies are not obviously adapted from folk templates but assume their own unique shape. Minton sings all of this in a voice that is sometimes gruff, sometimes whispery, always unpolished in an endearing sort of way. . . . The more conventionally pretty singer, Suraci handles vocals on her own well-crafted songs, set to flowing melodies carrying intelligent, sometimes fierce lyrics. Those lyrics are often focused on social and political issues--the Katrina catastrophe, domestic violence, manipulation of media by the control freaks of the current regime--but do so without a self-destructing self-righteous tone. . . . It's a nice touch, too, that the band gives us a fairly straightforward performance (with vocal by Rob Suraci) of Blind Lemon Jefferson's great BAD LUCK BLUES. In almost everything it does, PTO is boldly lighting into new territory, but it's refreshing to know that, every once in a while, it is not afraid to return to the old homestead.Jerome ClarkRambles.NET: A CULTURAL ARTS MAGAZINE, 7 April 2007 www.rambles.netWhatever faults the Possum Trot Orchestra may have on HARBOR ROAD, songwriting isn't one of them. Susie Suraci and John Minton spent the time between the release of their fine self-titled 2005 album and the recording of this one to hone their craft and it shows. Each supplies a fistful of tracks, some of them downright gems. . . . The band itself, with the first album far behind them and the addition of mandolin player Dave Kartholl, progresses as well. Kartholl's mandolin is at times apt and at others key to the progress. Suraci and Minton are their usual professional grade on their instruments. Rob Suraci, however, is leaps and strides beyond his last effort. His work on Blind Lemon Jefferson's BAD LUCK BLUES and Susie's APPETITE makes you wonder why he is limited so much to bass and drums on most of the album, but when you play alongside Minton, well… In the end, the progress each has made has given the band a boost in credibility as a band. They are definitely coming into their own. . . . The first time through this, I thought, okay, they've done it again. A solid effort. Repeated hearings, though, have me convinced that this is the jumping off point for bigger things. Today, Fort Wayne, tomorrow...? Allow me a pre-emptive strike here. This band shouldn't even think about splitting up for at least three more albums, maybe more. As good as they are individually on this album, I believe that they reach a synergy as a band that they might not ever capture solo. Now that I've said it, let me put the rumor to rest. They are not splitting up. Fact is, they have only just begun.Frank Gutch, Jr.THE FOLK AND ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXCHANGEwww.acousticmusic.comOn HARBOR ROAD, Minton's savvy historicism and the Suracis' pop acumen have met somewhere in the middle--and that place, for lack of a better designation, is the early '70s. The Possum Trot Orchestra is starting to exhibit the same shambling deliciousness and talent for musical stew-making as The Band.Steve PenhollowFORT WAYNE JOURNAL-GAZETTE, Sunday, December 17, 2006******************THE POSSUM TROT ORCHESTRA • HARBOR ROADJOHN MINTONDAVE KARTHOLLROB SURACISUSIE SURACIPRODUCED BY JOHN MINTONRECORDED JULY • OCTOBER 2006 AT TEMPEL RECORDING STUDIO • FORT WAYNE • INDIANARECORDED • MIXED & MASTERED BY TOM TEMPELPHOTOS BY LEWIS WICKES HINE • BOSTON & MOBILE BAY • 1909 • 1911ART DIRECTION BY JOHN MINTON & MATT KELLEYDESIGN BY ONE LUCKY GUITAR • INCPOSSUM FRONT OFFICE • LINDA MINTONHARBOR ROADJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitar • accordionSusie • vocals • acoustic guitarRob • vocal • electric guitars • electric bass • drumsDave • mandolinBlackbirds in the night • racing home to roost in the dying lightThings are looking dim • talks broke down again • they're calling for a strikeDown on Harbor Road . . . There ain't no looking up • the owners and the union they're just all the sameThere ain't no honest cop • ain't a politician with a decent nameDown on Harbor Road . . . The boats are steering in • dark so slowly stealing all along the shoreThe coats are wearing thin • the paint is peeling from the houses and the storesDown on Harbor Road . . . THE HOUSE THAT WE CAN’T BUYSusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocals • acoustic guitarsRob • upright bass • drumsJohn • acoustic 6• & •12• string guitarsDave • mandolinI see a red maple tree in a green front yardA big flower bed where I’d work real hardA wreath on the door that would welcome youTo the house that we can’t buyThere’s a nice living room with a fireplaceWindows all around and lots of space.Everything is tidy and just like newIn the house that we can’t buy . . . We’re both working jobs • we’re trying to saveBut the postman always brings another bill to payWhen the average Joe can’t afford to buyThe American Dream seems like one big lieSo here’s the dingy little flat on a noisy streetThat we rent to put a roof over our familyHow I wish that we could put that money toward the priceOf the house that we can't buy . . . ED Susie Suraci • Rob Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAP • High Lake Music\u002FASCAP Susie • vocals • acoustic guitarRob • vocals • electric guitars * • electric bass • drumsJohn • acoustic guitar • accordion • 5• string banjoDave • mandolinThe networks said this one would be at least a 4So we hammered up the plywood and we headed to the storeBought enough provisions so we wouldn’t have to go‘Cause this is all we have you see • and this is all we knowEd • the streets are full of waterSo do you think we oughta get up now and leave?Ed • I wouldn’t wait till laterIt looks like the whole neighborhood is welcoming the seaWe huddled in the darkness and listened to the roarWe thought we’d lost the roof one time but it lasted through the stormAnd in the early morning we peeked out at the debrisWe thought we had escaped the worst • we thought it was a 3Ed • our yard is full of waterSo do you think we oughta get up now and leave?Ed • I wouldn’t wait much laterIt looks like the whole neighborhood is welcoming the seaThere was barely time to grab the baby and the dogAfter trying to comprehend the water swirling in the hallNo time to have a last look ‘round the only home we knewWe were busy pulling down the attic stairs we’d hardly usedEd • our house is full of waterRight up to the French Quarter • water’s all I seeEd • what did we hesitate for?It looks like the whole neighborhood is welcoming the seaEd • our house is full of waterRight up to the French Quarter • water’s all I seeEd • the helicopter’s coming\t\tI see it coming and I will be strongAnd though we’re left with nothing • it breaks my heart to leave\t\tI'm coming back to where I belongOh don’t you know • it breaks my heart to leaveBILLYJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitar • 5• string banjoSusie • vocalsRob • electric bass • tambourine • kick drum • cabasa Dave • mandolinLast night it come a big storm and over on the east wingBilly started hollering and jumping up and downThe nurse could not convince him that he wasn't back at InchonIncoming antipersonnel shells dropping all aroundHe's born up some holler a piece outside of HazardAnd he never had a nickel he could rub against a nailThe only thing he ever won was that goddamn draft lotteryGot him a trip to Korea and like to froze his tailWell there's some boys go to college and there's some boys go to jailBilly went to Korea and like to froze his tailHe come back to that slag hill covered by the GI BillAnd lost hisself near forty year down in some company mineBut shellshock and dementia make a wicked old age pensionNow he's still got his Purple Heart but only half a mindAnd there's this one East Indian • he swears she's North KoreanAnd the medicine she's passing out is brainwash for the RedsAnd when they roll them laundry carts he thinks they're Chinese howitzersAnd hides on the linoleum up underneath the bedHe's so mixed up in the head that they almost wish him deadWhen he's down on the linoleum up underneath the bedThem hookers down in Seoul • they couldn't talk KentuckyBut time of day they'd find a way to pacify your mindAnd sometimes when he's half insane • he'll still call this one whore's nameThough he can't recognize his third wife nearly half the timeWhile at the VFW Hall the boys are playing dominoesThe last time they saw Billy they could tell he's slipping badHe went fast once Bobby passed with that pneumoconiosisThat's the one thing ain't hit Billy like old Bobby and their dadIt's no lie he's had it bad • all the hard luck that he's hadLeast he ain't got the black lung like his brother and their dadLast night it come a big storm and the east wing was so quietThat the night nurse went to check on him to see is he OKBut time finally accomplished what Korea left half•finishedThey said it was a blessing when old Billy passed awayAnd some people never think about the stupid things they sayAnd they said it was a blessing when daddy passed awayTHE CONTENT OF YOUR NEWSSusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocals • acoustic guitarRob • electric 12• string guitars * • electric bass • drums • acoustic guitarJohn • acoustic 12• string guitar • electric guitarsNot long ago my radio was a source of heart and soulMaverick DJs programmed the airwavesNow they just play what they’re told.So I turn the dial today in real frustration‘Cause I cannot get a single FM station to play me something newObjective news with two points of viewThe Fairness Doctrine guaranteedThen Reagan said That concept is dead • let our guiding light be greedSo I turn the dial today in desperationBut I cannot get a single network station to tell me something trueThis used to be the land of the free and no one could own the airThe FCC betrayed you and me when the corporate muscles baredNow a handful of the mega•corporationsShape the views and attitudes of this whole nationAs they pull the wool over the land of sheepDo you hear a cry of protest? Not a bleat‘Cause they’ve got the market sewn up nice and tightThey have bought control and now they’ve got the right to chooseThe content of your news . . . THE DEVIL AT THE CARD PARTYJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitar • 5• string banjoRob • vocal • upright bass • drums • tambourine • electric guitarDave • mandolinSusie • vocalThe wind was blowing from the westThe night was full of rainThe black face of December pressedAgainst the windowpaneFour of us were sitting 'roundA•playing at the cardsWhen a gust came whipping down . . . And blew the door ajarIn steps a little manThe first of him we'd seenWearing a frock coat andA cap of forest greenHe says You've saved a seat for meSo don't look too surprisedDealing out a deck of cardsAll set with living eyes . . . Our host he was a DeaconA pillar of the townHe bolted out the door and daredThe stranger run him downWhile to my left a wealthy manAlways game to playFolded up a good handWhen the Red Queen winked his way . . . But Jonah was a scoundrelA drinker of bad ginHe took an oath to gamble allHe swore to cuss and sinSo Jonah put his marker downAnd threw a pair of eightsThe stranger drew the hanging manAnd filled an inside straight . . . You can dig your grave with the Ace of SpadesBut a Full House buries Three•of•a•KindThe Joker's awful wild but he will not be deniedFor a fool lands face forward every timeJonah snuck up in his sleeveAnd pulled a crooked JackRaised the bet by half a stoneAnd dropped it on the stackBut as he did the lights blew outFire filled the airLeaving just a bloody toothOn top of Jonah's chair . . . You cannot watch your back with a One•Eyed JackBut a pocket watches all it can hideThe King of Hearts lies dead with a big knife in his headBut they said it was mostly suicideMy song is almost at an endThe moral ain't so longWhen cutting cards with strangers friendYou'd best keep right from wrong . . . BAD LUCK BLUESBlind Lemon Jefferson • Public Domain • Arranged & adapted by Rob SuraciRob • vocal • acoustic guitar • piano • drums • guitar caseJohn • tenor banjoI wanna go home but I ain't got sufficient clothes • doggone my bad luck soulI wanna go home but I ain't got sufficient clothes • I mean sufficient • talking about clothes Well I wanna go home but I ain't got sufficient clothesI bet my money • and I lost it • Lord it's so • doggone my bad luck soulMmmmm • lost it ain't it so? • I mean lost it • speaking about so nowI'll never bet on a deuce•trey•queen no moreMama I can't gamble • Son why don't you quit trying? • doggone my bad luck soulMmmmm why don't you quit trying? • Why don't you quit • I mean trying?That joker stole off with that long-haired brown of mineSugar you catch the Katy • I'll catch the Santa Fe • doggone my bad luck soulSugar you catch • you catch the Katy and I'll • I'll catch the Santa Fe • I mean the Santy • singing about FeHoney when you get in to Denver • pretty mama look around for meThe woman I love's about five feet from the ground • doggone my bad luck soulHey • five feet from the ground • five feet from the • I mean groundShe's a tailor•made woman • she ain't no hand•me•downI ain't seen my sugar in three long weeks today • doggone my bad luck soulSeen my sugar in three long weeks today • three long weeks to • I mean dayIt been so long • seems like my heart's gonna breakGonna run 'cross town • catch that southbound Santa Fe • doggone my bad luck soulMmmmm • Lord that Santa Fe • I'm mean the Santy • singing about FeBe on my way to what they call loving TennesseeHEART LIKE RAILROAD STEELJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitars • electric slide guitarSusie • vocals • acoustic guitar • keyboard †Rob • electric bass • drumsLook way down that trackYou see me going I ain't coming backAll you are to me is just a used•to•beHoist your window highYou can watch as I roll on byAll your crying won't do no good not like it used to couldYou got a heart like railroad steelDoney gal • what did you ever feel for me? In that breastbone as hard as a rock of stoneThe longest train on that lineCouldn't haul this heart of mineIt's all the same with you just like you always doAin't no use to moanThe more you cry the further I'm goneIt's all the same with me just like it used•to•beYou got a heart like railroad steel . . .KNOXVILLESusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocals • acoustic guitar • organ †John • electric guitars • acoustic guitar • electric slide guitar • 5• string banjoRob • electric bass • drumsI see you've made your mind upYou're taking your guitarYou're taking off this Friday to go down to Nashville and be a starYour papa thinks you're crazyBut mama says you're fineShe gave you forty dollars just to get you to the Tennessee lineOh to get you to the Tennessee lineOh! Tennessee! Oh! Tennessee! Get you to the Tennessee line . . . You only made it far as KnoxvilleBefore the engine diedNo sooner popped the hood up when a lady pulled along upside.She said • I see you’re having troubleWell honey hop right inI got a brother with a tow truck but first I’ll take you for a little spinOh I'll take you for a little spin.Hey! Chevrolet! Hey! Chevrolet! Chevy says jump right in . . . He wasn't sure where she was goingHe only knew where he had beenBut he liked the look of her machineShe said she kept her engine clean He never made it out of KnoxvilleHe never stood a chanceShe drove him crazy in the Chevy • jump•starting a big romanceAnd now he only plays on FridaysDown at the corner barIt ain't the Opry down in Nashville but the locals treat him like a star.Oh the locals treat him like a star.Hey! Tennessee! Hey! Tennessee! The kid should really be a star . . . APPETITESusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocal • acoustic guitarRob • vocal • electric slide guitar * • electric guitar * • upright bass • drumsDave • mandolinJohn • acoustic guitarYou told me that there was no otherYou told me that your heart was trueAnd I believed you like a loverAnd I was cheated like a foolSo you don’t mind if I forget youCause you’re down the road without a careHunting the next one who will let youDrive her to ruin and despairYour phone was ringing all the morningThe calls kept coming through the nightAlways a new girl looking for youWith the same old appetite . . . We know this wasn’t the first timeYou did a good woman wrongBut I swear this will be the last timeI get knocked down by a hit and runTENNESSEE UNBOUNDJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitar • lap steelSusie • vocal • acoustic guitarRob • electric bass • drumsDave • mandolinAnd so I left old TennesseeBeing Ponchatoula boundAnd though my footsteps followed meThey seemed to fall without a soundI hitched from Franklin to the GulfIt being all about a girlWho clipped my wings and pitched me offAnd so I fell on this old worldDropping like a stoneCut clean to the boneAnd yet I findMy thoughts inclinedMy heart confinedTo the girl I left behindLike the fool who walked to Hell and backWith the Devil in a sackThe sun goes tracking east to westWith the morning star behindAnd though you may retrace your stepsYou never can redeem lost timeRunning like a watchMarking every notchAnd yet I findMy thoughts inclinedMy heart confinedTo the girl I left behindLike the fool who walked to Hell and backWith the Devil in a sackThat's how I left old TennesseeThinking myself unboundFor though my footsteps followed meThey seemed to fall without a soundBUCKEYSTOWNSusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocals • acoustic guitarRob • vocal • electric bass • harmonica • drumsJohn • acoustic guitar • 5• string banjoDave • mandolinWord sure does get around in BuckeystownI wanna move away from here‘Cause I’m tired of sneaking ‘round in BuckeystownWhere everybody knows your nameAnd everybody’s got your gameAnd a person has to be insane to want to staySeems like we always run into MaryThis time she caught us holding handsShe’s gonna tell our good friend LarryThen they’ll tell everybody we knowAnd that’s how rumors come and goWhen your little romance is the only show in townWord sure does get around in Buckeystown . . .Seems like we always run into BradI swear there must be more than oneNow he’s gonna mention us to Dale and EileenAnd they’re gonna spill it to JillOh you bet your bottom dollar they willAnd Jill is gonna tell it to Al and he’ll tell DaveSo why don’t we steal away from Buckeystown?Load your daddy’s Coup DevilleAnd drive it down this doggone hillAnd keep it rolling till we reach the Eastern Shore?'Cause I’m tired of sneaking ‘round in Buckeystown . . . WINTERLIGHTJohn Minton • Monkey Knuckles Music\u002FASCAPJohn • vocal • acoustic guitar • accordionSusie • vocal • acoustic guitarRob • electric bass • drums • conga • bongos • cabasa • shakerDave • mandolinThe winterlight todayCould only whisper through the grayTalking 'bout last night • my oh my winterlightI was waiting on the mailAnd wishing you were hereSometimes that winterlight is so clearThe woods and fields are frozeSideroads are closedBut what it's like where you are who knowsThe lakes are cold and whiteMoonlight and iceThat winterlight is awful bright tonightI was wishing you would callKind of hoping you would writeThat winterlight is all around tonightWONDERFULSusie Suraci • Slim Dot Music\u002FASCAPSusie • vocals • acoustic guitarsRob • electric bass • upright bass • drumsJohn • acoustic guitars • electric slide guitars • accordion • 5• string banjoDave • mandolinDon’t waste today • that would be tragic\tCome out and play • come see the magicWe don’t have nine livesSo it would be wiseTo open your eyes and see what is wonderfulDon’t spend the night in heartache and sadnessThings'll be all right • fretting is madnessWe don’t have the yearsJust to waste them in tears So open your ears and hear what is wonderful . . . So now count your blessings not your woes my dear If you need someone to help • I’m already here Oh now count your blessings not your woes my dear And if you need someone to love • I’m already here So don’t feel alone • when I’m right beside youYou’re not on your own when you decide toMake a new startJust do your partOh open up your heart and feel what is wonderful . . . ******************