Song of the Day: Frazey Ford - Done

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Done” by Frazey Ford from the 2014 album Indian Ocean on Nettwerk Records.

Frazey Ford - Done (MP3)

Folk artist Frazey Ford lives just about close enough to Seattle to call her local without actually residing in the United States. The Vancouver, BC, singer-songwriter is also a founding member of alt-folk band The Be Good Tanyas. Although she describes herself as a country-folk musician, for her sophomore solo effort, Ford weaves in soul, jazz, and R&B influences inspired by icons like Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Ford commits herself to the genre, enlisting the help of the Hi Rhythm Section, a group that has collaborated with Al Green, Ann Peebles (who Ford cites as one of her major influences), and other leaders in soul. The result is an piece of work offering songs about "pain and dealing with tough truths, but also about love, contrition and being bold."

Bold is exactly what the fourth track from Indian Ocean, "Done," is. It's not an in-your-face song, but delivers Ford's theme on love and pain, and especially about dealing with these oft-paired emotions. "Done" has got to be one of the more calmly delivered, levelheaded break up songs out there. The title, "Done," sums the entire song up; Ford sings about being through with her situation, and she's not melodramatic or flowery about it. The track comes together with Ford's lilting vocals, the talents of the Hi Rhythm Section, and of course a few horns.

Frazey Ford will be in Seattle on October 29th at the Tractor Tavern. Check out her Facebook page for more events and watch her beautiful rendition of "Firecracker" recorded at KEXP almost four years ago!