Sean Pratt is one of those artists who seems not to realise how good they really are. Spending just three days in the studio, he and Megan Seibe, Colin Duckworth and James Maakestad recorded the nine songs that make up Prairie Whistle Call live in the studio. The songs were new and fresh, and their approach captured a purity that often gets lost in all the gloss and multi-tracking that make up so much of modern recording. With no bells and whistles to get in the way, you get a recording of remarkable honesty. Guitars ring true, the bass provides a gentle beat, while the violin almost cries with its lonesome quality.
Pratt has found a stream where the music bends to traditional sounds, yet his lyrics are often less so; these tunes could have been written at almost any time in the last century. The juxtaposition of the seemingly old and new creates a blend that gives these songs their exceptional quality.
Starting with the male and female voices that harmonise “ohs” at the beginning of “Eyes Wide Open,” there is a midwestern feel that comes from years spent on Nebraska farmland and the vast vistas of the Dakotas. It’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of the coasts. In the still air of the pandemic, Pratt began toying with ways to colour his songs without the use of electronics and amplification. He found the magic in moments like the opening of “Need A Crowd”, where one can hear the sound of the wind opening the song.
These songs speak to the soul with simple truths and sad refrains, creating a perfect Midwestern palette. Yet now and then, other influences seem to creep in. “Wedding Shoes” opens with moments that mirror Nick Drake before the banjo and violin lean in to open a different path. A piano skitters into the mix of violin and banjo on “Porch Light.” With the refrain, “I can’t see too well in the dark/ Could you leave the porch light on?” Pratt reflects on life and how it changes with age.
On Prairie Whistle Call, Sean Pratt merges timeless sounds with modern sensibilities. Speaking from the heart, he feels the wind of the plains in his bones, distilling it with simple truths for anyone willing to listen.
Prairie Whistle Call (July 18th, 2025) Worried Songs
Order via Bandcamp: https://seanpratt.bandcamp.com/album/prairie-whistle-call-2