Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com.
“Hannah: A Soldier’s Diary” (audiobook)
This recently-released musical audiobook tells the story of Hannah, a young woman who falls for Jack, a soldier who’s about to be deployed to Afghanistan. Their love is brief, but powerful, and determined to survive months of being apart—no matter what.
Written by veteran playwright and author Steve Wallis and voiced by actress/musician Zoe Wright, this audiobook, which tracks at around one hour and 40 minutes, is absolutely stunning and kept me hooked from the first chapter. The story is beautifully told by Wright, who takes on Hannah’s role as if it’s her own life she’s recalling. The emotional ups and downs, the feelings of love from a random encounter, it all comes through so naturally.
One unique aspect of this story is that each chapter has a song paired with it. The songs really capture the feel of the chapters and add a great element to an already superb audiobook.
“Brownstone” (comic)
Written by Samuel Teer, with art by Mar Julia, “Brownstone” (Harper Alley) follows Almudena as she meets her biological father for the first time at the age of 14.
Normally a challenging situation, this meeting is made far more so that Almudena, who is half-Guatemalan, doesn’t speak any Spanish (her father also speaks almost no English) and knows nothing of her heritage and feels like an alien among her own people. The journey is one of discovery, not only of a father and daughter learning about each other, but of Almudena learning just who she is.
The story is paced well, with many hurdles before Almudena begins to feel at home. As she learns about her father and why he left right after she was born, she also becomes more in tune with the culture that she never knew, little by little. She also sees how gentrification by white landowners is forcing many of her people to leave, breaking apart friends and families, and sees the intolerance of those coming into the neighborhood.
The art is equally detailed, with vibrant portrayals of the community and its people. I loved taking the time to really explore scenes of the neighborhood, homes and businesses. There’s a lot to take in and it’s worth pausing on a page to do so.
“Brownstone” is describe by one reviewer as “with a scrappy heart of gold,” and I wholeheartedly agree. There’s real heart in this story and getting to the end had me hoping there will be a volume two someday.
“Wanted Man” (music)
This August release by country artist Trey Calloway is big reason that I got into the genre. The music is skillfully done, with a lot of heart, a layered sound and one of the best voices I have heard. Not a surprise that he’s been doing this since 15 and racked up a number of awards in that time.
Trey’s music covers a lot of ground. Some of the nine songs on this album deal with love, but from different angles. “You Don’t Need a Woman” speaks to how you don’t always need love until you really do, while “Miss Gone By Morning” is about that one lady that never stays put for anyone.
“That Was Us” is one of my favorites, a look to the past and the good times they remind us of. “Forgotten Man” is a look at the working man who does so much that is never seen, while “Horses in Heaven” really got to me in a personal way.
One aspect of Trey’s career is that he’s lived in a number of places, from his hometown of Lucia, North Carolina, to Nashville, Tennessee, where he lives today. This leads to the notion that he has a “traveling man” sound to his music, the voice of someone who’s seen a lot and wants to share the story.
Trey is an exceptional artist, and still in the early years of his career (his first release was “One Tough Job” in 2020). This album really speaks to his skill and I look forward to what comes next.
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