Infusing roots rock with acoustic blues, Colorado native Cary Morin teams up with hometown bandmates Ghost Dog for their latest single, “Goin’ Down South.”
Released this past Friday June 3rd, Morin & Ghost Dog transform the 1969 R.L. Burnside tune from acoustic fingerstyle picking into an electric uptempo western-blues ensemble.
After hearing Luther Dickinson’s iteration of the track, Morin imagined his version more collaborative and energetic. The song’s introduction is gritty and brooding, and Morin cites “Burnside’s sound and driving guitar riffs” as his inspiration.
Gliding over a steady backbeat, Morin’s emotional and gritty vocals embody his signature Native Americana sound stemming from his Montana roots. He grew up a Crow tribal member with Assiniboine Sioux and Black heritage and, from a young age, honed his guitar picking skills at neighborhood get-togethers.
Morin and Ghost Dog debuted the song in August 2021 at the Bohemian Light Music Festival in Fort Collins, Colorado, and now, they bring their commercial release to audiences everywhere along with an accompanying video.
Morin has received praise from the most gifted instrumentalists such as David Bromberg, who characterizes him as “a unique and brilliant guitar player, songwriter and singer,” all of which flourish in “Goin’ Down South.” His warm vocals and Celeste Di Iorio’s light backing harmonies intensify lyrics, enriching lines like, “Makin’ my time, makin’ my time / Follow where I go.”
The track follows up the band’s 2021 release “Trust,” which affirm descriptions of Morin “as one of the best pickers on the scene today.” Cary Morin and Ghost Dog will be performing this Friday June 10th at the Pagosa Folk N Bluegrass Festival in Colorado, where they’re sure to get the crowd entranced with their latest single.
