The Chapin Sisters
A Date With the Everly Brothers
Reviewed by Jane Roser
The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys and yes, even the gold lame-wearing dapper dons of disco, The Bee Gees, cite The Everly Brothers’ perfect vocal harmonies as being majorly influential to their sound. Now, we may add the sibling harmonic folk/pop duo The Chapin Sisters to this impressive roster. Their album, A Date With the Everly Brothers, was released April 23rd by Lake Bottom Records. It was funded by 501 fans through a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $18,000. There is a vinyl version of this album, as well, which adds nostalgic flavor.
Paying homage to the “kings of two-part harmony”, The Chapin Sisters take you back to the days of saddle shoes, poodle skirts and pompadours (or at least leave you with the feeling that you can never watch Back To The Future too many times). They tackle the popular hits, as well as lesser-known tunes, and although I understand why they purposely left out showy numbers such as “Bye, Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie”, I can’t help but wish they were included, because I like a cherry on top of my milkshake.
There are 14 tracks on this album, including the 1958 hit “All I Have To Do Is Dream”, which The Everly Brothers originally recorded in just two takes and is probably their most well-known song. The sisters’ harmonies are perfectly in sync while their version of this tune is soft, sweet and just delectable. If I decided to sit on a quilt by the river with my boombox and a picnic basket full of fried chicken and pie, this is the song I’d be playing over and over. Don and Phil Everly’s biggest number one hit,”Cathy’s Clown”, is sung with grace, charm and bravado. I love hearing two women sing: “Don’t want your love any more. Don’t want your kisses, that’s for sure.” What a kick in the pants.
Abigail and Lily Chapin prove that passion for beautiful music is generational. Their grandfather, Jim Chapin, was a jazz drummer; their father, Tom Chapin is a Grammy Award winning folk singer and their uncle is the late great Harry Chapin (“Cat’s In The Cradle”). And although they remind me of great girl bands of a bygone era, such as The Shangri-Las, The Shirelles and The Ronettes, The Chapin Sisters have carved out their very own personal niche and I can’t wait to see what they have up their tuxedo sleeves next.
Rating: 
