Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart
Late Nights and Early Mornings
(Five and Dime Records)
Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart’s Late Nights and Early Mornings kicks off with “Monday Nights,” a blast of Motown-ish R&B worthy of Martha and the Vandellas featuring a melodic bass line pushing the rocking song forward, splashes of funky keyboards, and electric guitar with a hint of distortion-littering hooks throughout. It sets the stage for what’s to come: 11 rootsy, tradition-based numbers with terrific accompaniment by the musicians of Whiskey Heart. “Sins” betrays a fondness for Southern rock; “Those Were the Days” and “Daylight” recall the early soul of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding; “Nothing Left to Leave Behind” and “Young and Sad” hark back to Haviland’s earlier, country-inflected efforts with Eagles- or Poco-influenced country rock. The Westchester singer-songwriter’s vocals occupy that rare space connecting Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt, with soaring glissandos and natural vibrato. An eclectic musical delight.
This article appears in October 2025.
