The studio recording of “High Lonesome” left little doubt that the star in Adam Torres’ songs is his voice. Although some YouTube commenters enjoyed the imagery of Wes Anderson, Michonne (Walking Dead) and Jack Nicholson being responsible for the modern American folk offerings at a Tiny Desk Concert.
Whichever version you listen to, the American West comes alive as if from the perspective of a soaring eagle. Normally the Canyonlands landscape demands a certain majestic awe; I enjoy how this track dispenses with that requirement. You are simply taken on a plain-sailing, stratospheric ride. Technically, eagles are visual hunters and need sunlight – although I doubt the perspective of a soaring jetliner would conjure the equivalent emotion.