Album Review: Big Begonias — ‘In Bloom’

Gabrielle Kouri’s tune-wrangling — her quirky lyrics and distinctive compositions — have long been long admired in Eastern Iowa folk music circles. Raised in Creston in a bicultural family with Lebanese, German and Scandinavian roots, Kouri’s songs delve into the complexities of being a honky-tonk singer, cowboys who inherit dysfunction along with the ranch, and a blunt lament that, “VJ day was good, they say, unless you were in Japan.” Like Joanna Newsom, she’s good at fitting a few too many words into a line, and like Melissa Carper, some of her melodies feel like you’re dusting off 70-year-old records.

Big Begonias’ new album, In Bloom, beautifully captures classic country’s essence, a significant departure from their earlier, more experimental work, with the country sound harking back to an era before commercialization altered the genre. Though it draws on country influences from Amanda Shires and Patsy Cline, Big Begonias describe their style as “transcendental honky tonk,” successfully arriving at an ethereal yet gritty vibe.

The album opens with “My Own Way” matter-of-factly proclaiming, “Got out of my own way, nothing more to say.” Capturing old favorites, some tracks will be familiar to fans, while newer songs, such as “Trail to Santa Fe,” surprise with a spaghetti western feel. Culminating with “The Sad Ones,” which ponders how self-knowledge doesn’t always translate into breaking old patterns, the chorus repeats: “When I look into your eyes, pull the sky through the roof / I’m a sucker for the sad ones, the bad ones, I hope you never have ones / and I’ll always be a fool.”

In Bloom was recorded and mixed over six days in spring 2024 at Future Apple Tree Studios in Rock Island, Illinois under the guidance of Pat Stoley. The first two days focused on capturing the band’s live base tracks — Kouri on banjo, her lilting vocals up front, recorded clean and without effects. Having previously collaborated with the band on singles, Stoley’s analog recording technique was crucial in achieving the album’s distinctive warmth and richness.

Big Begonias features Dave “Chief” Lumberg, a versatile bass and mandolin player known for his work with the 2000s Iowa City band The Mayflies; Dan Miller on drums with a knack for dramatic spareness; and George Spielbauer (brother of Tom Spielbauer of The Cedar County Cobras), vital to arranging and layering guitars. Studio musicians included Elizabeth Kouri, the lead singer’s sister, providing low-in-the-mix background vocals described by the band as adding “muppet vibes.” Dustin Busch and Craig “Pappy” Klocke, ace Iowa City noodlers, contribute pedal steel and steel guitar, respectively, shaping the country-western sound.

Looking ahead, Big Begonias plans to work on new material and return to the studio this winter, focusing on themes of spiritual comfort and peace. Fans can see them live on Sept. 13 in downtown Iowa City as part of the Friday Night Concert Series, sharing the bill with Miss Christine.

This article was originally published in Little Village’s September 2024 issue.

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