It’s always interesting to hear what an artist comes up with when revisiting work of theirs. Coming back to an old piece with fresh eyes and ears can inspire new life into even award-winning tracks.
I’m excited to bring David Anthony Zee back to us with Suitcase by the Door (Remastered). What once was referred to as “The Lost Album”, has been found and reimagined over a decade later. Each song tells a lyrical and sonic story — you’re just waiting to hear where he goes next.
The album opens beautifully with a simple acoustic guitar and piano, soothing along with Zee’s voice. He is joined by higher vocals for a chorus that feels almost like I’d heard it before, both wonderfully familiar and yet his own.
“Someday” from David Anthony Zee
He continues with a homely, comfortable energy with a love story for “Someday (For Raymond)”. Narrative songs always have a special place in my heart for their ability to conjure images like a movie. From start to finish, you feel enveloped in a warm hug that is much needed with the feels in the later verses of the song.
We pick up the pace a bit for “The Old Folkies Home”. A much bouncier country, and yes, folky twang on the guitar and vocals accompanied by harmonica makes for a fun danceable tune. The chorus of voices that eventually join in for the last chorus fills the song out, showing off his experience in how to work a crowd.
Zee slows it back down for “Children of Conflict”, the previously mentioned winning song in the 2001 Music to Life competition for songs of social concern. The story, still all too relevant today, of children in war zones is a touching melody with real cultural staying power.
The album is brought to a close by the catchy chorus of “The Tap Root Tree”. Several voices join his in harmony to sing of the Earth and togetherness, its vast spectrum of life all connected in one world.
It’s refreshing to hear an artist have fun with their music without fear of exploring different genres and sounds. David Anthony Zee has a very clear and prevalent talent for narrative songwriting. I hope he had as much enjoyment writing as audiences do listening to Suitcase by the Door (Remastered).
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