What really takes you aback about The Civil Wars is not the sheer magnitude of talent Joy Williams and John Paul White express in live performance (2/9/11, The Evening Muse, Charlotte, NC), nor is it the forlorn beauty of their recent release, Barton Hollow.
It’s the expression on Joy’s face when she cites Flannery O’Connor’s Short story “Greenleaf” in conversation after the show.
“That story,” she pauses, suddenly looking deeply concerned, “It’s affected me in a really…” She searches for the word. “It troubles me.” She frowns.
In “Greenleaf,” O’Connor’s self-righteous protagonist, Mrs. May loathes her kindly handyman, Mr. Greenleaf. She morally elevates herself over him. And she is impaled by a bull for it.
A troubling tale, certainly. But how refreshing to hear such a sentiment from so talented a musician on her way “up.”
Imagine that. Stepping into success thoughtfully, wary, humbly.
I wish them all the best.
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