At a Lexington recording studio, award-winning musician Carla Gover listens to a rough mix of the title track of her latest album.
The eighth-generation Kentuckian is a native of Letcher County. She said on this album she’s celebrating women and paying homage to the women who have shaped her musically and personally.
“I also wanted to sort of center women’s voices and vision and values on this album because I believe that some of the values that we typically associate with femininity which are really just basic human values, but things like taking care of each other, community building, nurturing, connection with community, connection with the land, those things that have been relegated to the sphere of woman’s values, I think they’re what humanity needs right now," explained Gover.
Gover is known for playing traditional music with a social justice theme. This is her first solo album in 15 years. There are 13 tracks. Ten of the tracks she says are original.
On this wintry Thursday afternoon, Gover strums her guitar while three other female singers from Kentucky stand near her as they rehearse the song Kentucky Queen. The women harmonize, experiment with their sound, and laugh a lot as they work together and with engineer Tom Hnatow to record tracks for Gover’s album.
Diane Timmons is one of Gover’s long-time friends. She has long wavy hair and wears a blue dress with a white design and red trim. She sits next to Gover on the couch and listens closely as the engineer plays a cut of the women singing. Timmons called this album relevant.
“This is powerful women’s voices supported by supporting and loving and generous men and everyone laughing together and feeling joyful. And that’s the most powerful force we have in this human plane," said Timmons.
Well-known Kentucky Dulcimer player Sarah Kate Morgan has an infectious laugh and auburn hair that frames her smiling face. She plays her dulcimer like she was born with it in her hand. The Hindman, Kentucky resident said she feels blessed to be part of this project.
“There’s such a depth of history and depth of meaning to be singing these songs. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. And you know just standing on the shoulders and linking arms with women that I respect and love so much is really special,” reported Morgan.
The women rehearse the song Kentucky Queen together several times. And then record their tracks individually. Soprano Karly Dawn Milner is excited to be part of the album and loves the song Kentucky Queen.
“There’s so many moments in it. It’s almost incredible that she was able to grab so many pieces of Kentucky and put them all in one song,” said Milner.
Carla Gover is also partial to the title track. She said it’s the song where she references a lot of her favorite Kentucky singers.
“In literature and poetry, they have allusions. So, I use some allusions, a-l-l-u-s-i-o-n-s in the song, referencing other songs and singers that are important to me like Jean Ritchie and Lily May Ledford. Some of the songs that we sang, traditional songs like In the Pines. There’s a little quotation of In the Pines in there. And of course, just the woman I picture most when I sing the song is my grandmother who was an amazing ballad singer and hymn singer,” explained Gover.
An eastern Kentucky native Gover said her music has always been about more than entertainment. She said it’s about standing up for what is right. She’s also good at describing her favorite places in Kentucky like Pine Mountain which she said is not only a landmark in eastern Kentucky but a place of unique beauty.
Her song Pine Mountain High is a nod to this special place and John Denver.
Carla Gover said most of the tunes on Kentucky Queen are original. She’s producing the album which is expected to be released this June.
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