Carter Sampson: Gold
Photo by Doug Schwarz
To quote Oklahoma folk artist, Woody Guthrie, “A song ain’t nothing but a conversation fixed up to where you can talk it over and over without getting tired of it.” Carter Sampson’s songs fit into this mold whether she is trying or not. I know this because I fall into a Carter Sampson rabbit-hole from time to time and I never tire of it. Her live streams during the pandemic shut-down fed my soul as well. The Oklahoma City native pulls elements of country, folk, rock, and blues together to create an Americana sound in every sense of the term. Much like her fellow Oklahoma folk artist, Woody Guthrie, Sampson has always tapped into real-life trials and triumphs. This latest album, Gold, is no different and even more so on a personal level.
In an ode to her mother, the album opens to the cry of a steel guitar in the title track “Gold.” Carter reassures her mother that she is sensitive, yet strong and resilient. She knows the best she can be is just like her, so Carter reassures her that she will be alright out in this world.
“Mama, don’t you worry about me / I’ll be fine / My tears come as easy as I leave them behind / I won’t be bought / No, I won’t be sold / I’ll be alright, Mama / Because you made me out of gold”
“Home” is a reflection and gentle reminder on where she has been and where she is headed, whether it’s going full speed and working to keep up with all the others, personally and professionally, or seeking her own path with nothing left to lose. It’s a coming-of-age song that any young to middle-aged adult can relate to in real time and an older adult can reminisce on.
A few tracks in, the tempo is turned up with “Black Blizzard,” a topic piece that Central Plains individuals - particularly Oklahomans - are all too familiar with: The Dust Bowl. The beat sets the tone to describe the arduous and endless work that is being put in to salvage homes, land, crops, and livestock, but it’s a losing battle as the song crescendos into a rock instrumental that mimics the chaos and desperation that ensued.
“Oh, we’ve hung up snakes with the paper planes / We’ve done crazy things to try to make it rain / When the daylight turns to darkness / And the wind is all that is heard / Living in a black blizzard”
Coming out of the pandemic shut-down, most everyone had feelings of restlessness and apprehension about the future. In the wake of fear that her music career would not survive the halt of playing live and touring, Carter penned my favorite track from the album, “Can’t Stop Me Now,” to encourage herself and her fans to forge on despite the new obstacles. The best way to describe the latest single release: An anthem to perseverance and fortitude.
The album, Gold, is a perfect example of that determination to come out on the other side better than when she went in. It is no wonder that it quickly rose through the ranks of the Top 25 Americana Music Association chart. It is a masterpiece from start to finish and should only garner Sampson more awards for her resumé. Along with Amelia White, you can catch her touring the album release locally this spring and the UK this summer.
Find out more about Carter Sampson at the links below: