Sometimes a song sashays from the speakers as if a long-departed loved one in a dream, its lilting melody paired to lyrics we didn’t know we needed to hear—a message of love, perhaps, or maybe just of encouragement. (To borrow a few lines from the trobairitz Chrissie Hynde, “Now the reason we’re here/Every man, every woman/Is to help each other/Stand by each other.”) Such is the case with this surprise single from singer-songwriter and poet Courtney Marie Andrews, at any rate, who released the tune this past Wednesday with little fanfare. On Facebook, she calls it “an ode to all the artists, outsiders, and shy loved ones you want to see shine.”
It puts into words something I’ve felt for more decades—and good and bad times—than I care to count or remember; it’s why, when possible, I thank artists for doing what they do. Their music, books, poems, and paintings make a difference for the better.
Anyway, “Cons and Clowns” fades into sound on the strings of an acoustic guitar, while Courtney’s vocals glide from hushed to lush to loud: “It’s a scary world full of cons and clowns/A lot of bad people who will tear you down/Not me, no way/I only wanna hear you play.” One can read into the words what one will, of course, but to me it’s exactly what she says. Social media is rife with naysayers who’d rather put people down than lift them up. (To borrow a couplet from the bard Neil Young, “So all you critics sit alone/You’re no better than me for what you’ve shown.”)
In addition to singing lead and background vocals, she plays 12-string guitar, flute, and tambourine; Jerry Bernhardt, who co-produced with her, handles bass, background vocals, piano, synths, high-strung and 12-string guitars; and Chris Bear thumps the drums.
The Old Grey Cat 
We have tickets to see her next year.
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