Terry Mutter is an acoustic folk artist based in Seattle who has just released his premiere EP titled Walking In The Rain. Mutter has a voice, sound and songwriting style that bespeaks decades of Americana, which is why it’s a shock to discover that he only adopted this style in 2018 after hearing John Prine! Prior to this stylistic reinvention, Mutter was a drummer and percussionist through his college years, then became a “hobby guitarist” playing covers and having fun.

Starting in 2019 Mutter had several close family members pass away, and he began songwriting “…as a way of processing this loss that is both heartbreaking and also a natural progression of life.” During the pandemic Mutter began experimenting and recording with Ableton Live. These songs were all tracked in his basement, with mixing by Brandon Kreutel and mastering by Billy Glover at Wooden Music Studios. Mutter’s music is free to download, but any proceeds will be donated to environmental conservation nonprofits.  

“Pine Cone” begins the collection with a sound recording of a flowing river. The music starts out with just Mutter on vocals, acoustic guitar and MIDI bass, which really does sound like a washtub bass. The recording quality is a little boxy, as if it were mastered from an audio cassette (though this effect decreases with the other songs) but it does add to the authentic, retro feel of the track. Thematically this is one of those songs where one thing leads logically to the next, like “Think About Your Troubles” by Nilsson. “I am thankful for the cone / I am thankful for the tree / I am thankful for the river / That flows beneath our feet…” It’s a sweet and simple ode to love that could be taking place in the Appalachian mountains. Mutter has dedicated this song to the non-profit group Forterra.

“Walking In The Rain” is thematically very similar to the previous song. Instead of ambling on a river trail, the loving couple walk together in the rain. “Water running down our nose / It’s no surprise to us, we’re soaked from head to toe / Didn’t miss a puddle, it’s what we do.” Mutter uses a resonator guitar and channels a bit of Pete Seeger. The second vocal is by Mutter’s wife Gina, who has a natural and pleasing voice.

“Fabric Of You” is the first of two songs that explore loss. Mutter states that this song is about “exploring how our relationships change and evolve as we say goodbye to loved ones, even while we retain a new relationship with them.” As befits the sad topic, it features gentle picking and a MIDI cello part. I can certainly relate to this subject, as I accidentally wore my late wife’s shirt to her memorial service, which turned out to fit perfectly. Totally heartfelt, without a hint of artifice. “Two Feet” starts and ends with the sound of feet on dirt (which is harder to capture than you’d think) and is a love song as viewed through the journey of the singer’s two feet alongside his loved one. For this track Mutter is joined by Billy Glover on mandolin. 

“Not Today” concludes the EP with a very sad rumination on the loss of a very close loved one, such as a parent. The MIDI cello and Billy Glover’s piano is very effective. “Please visit my dreams, fill up my soul / I promise you I’ll smile again / But not today.”

Though this is a short set of tunes, it’s an amazingly assured debut with nary a misstep. Would love to hear what’s next!

Singer/songwriter Terry Mutter is based in Seattle, Washington. Originally a percussionist, Mutter picked up the guitar when his kids were born and has been a “hobbyist” guitar player for 20 years. Over the past two years, he has been writing his own original music. Sentinels is his follow up to Walking in The Rain (November of 2021), which received a 4/5 rating from Divide and Conquer. The second track is called "My Guiding Light.” It was the second song Mutter ever wrote and he did so while on the hospice care night shift for his dad who passed away in 2020. This was preceded by his mother’s passing in 2019 along with his mother-in-law the same year. It sparked something inside the musician – he has not stopped writing since, with over 50 original songs to date. Mutter often tells people “I am not much of a musician, more like a guy trying to mend a broken heart and just figure out life with a guitar.” A wide variety of guitars were used throughout the recording session and include, Martin D-41, D-28, 1946 Martin 0-17, 1975 Guild X-175B, Glover Tele Special (his build), Gibson SG, Fessenden Pedal Steel and Mandocaster. Bass guitars were a mix of midi and Fender Precision and Gretsch Electromatic. Midi was used for strings, horns, and percussion. Recorded and mastered at Wooden Music Studios using Protools.

Thematically, several the songs on Sentinels tell stories of old souls in our lives guiding us on the journey. They are in us, around us, in the natural world or sitting by our side. If we are wise, we will slow our race through life long enough and listen to what they have to say. It is a mix of Americana folk while experimenting a bit by leaning into some indie creative styles. Mutter has been compared to who he calls "The Johns" ... John Prine, and John Hiatt. There are a lot of things that make this album special for him, as it was a family affair on many of the tracks. His dad’s brother Rick Mutter, plays keyboards on “My Guiding Light.” Mutter’s wife Gina, sings backing vocals on "My Guiding Light" and lead vocals on "Sweet Rosemary" which is a tribute to her mother who passed in 2019. In addition, his daughter Natalie provides backing vocals on the title track "Sentinels" and "Sweet Rosemary" as well as creating the cover art for the EP.

The opening track “Sentinels,” a word that means “standing watch” or “to stand guard” is reflected by the forests and trees that Mutter sings about. The elder forests, who’s younger saplings are putting down their own roots and “learning to move through the world.” We as humans, can learn a lot from the trees, by growing together, learning to get along and sharing resources – “We’re stronger together / while looking for the sun / make room for others / each and everyone.” The next track “My Guiding Light” is a loving tribute to the singer’s dad. It features a strong bass presence, played by Sonny Bill Glover along with the electric piano/organ played by Rick Mutter. The lyrics that Mutter wrote, read like a song of prayer, or perhaps even a letter of thanks to his dad. Next up is “She Sees the World.” It begins with a quick, shuffling beat, accompanied by the acoustic guitar and violin strings. I really liked how this tune was uniquely arranged, and how the words, “She sees the world, she sees the world” was repeated after the verses. This track’s tender melodies and poetic nature kind of reminded me Crosby, Stills and Nash. “How Many Times” has a slower tempo to it and features a stronger rhythm section. I enjoyed hearing the cello – it really made the song for me. Lyrically, this tune is one of Mutter’s more humbling songs. He gets real and to the point on verses like – “If we could only learn to listen / listen to what we hear / or take time to heal the heartaches / of those we hold dear” and further on, “Let the walls around you crumble / send them to the ground / open your heart of others / love is all around.”

The next song “Marine and the Queen” is just about that – “a young Marine soldier and his future queen.” Mutter’s delivery reminds me of folkish storytelling numbers from the likes of John Prine, Harry Chapin and Peter, Paul and Mary. I loved the addition of the horns with this one as well. “Sweet Rosemary” features Gina and Natalie Mutter on vocals in this slow waltzing song, with Terry Mutter trading lines on some of the verses. The lyrics here are reflective and honest and finds the singer looking back on a life of love. There are many sweet memories two people can draw from, over cups of tea (later some wine), with pears and some cheese down by the lake. What could be better in this moment of your life?

​The last track “Spinning” features a lively organ/drumbeat/bass rhythm along with some entertaining sounds of a horn section. This was fun song to listen to and lyrically, my guess is that the words define what it feels like to be in a “spinning” moment in your life. Getting straight with yourself, you ask, “How did I get here?” or “How has this world come to be so crazy – I don’t know some days whether I’m coming or going?” Sometimes questions like this don’t surface to your mind until years later – but when they do – whoa, it’s an experience for sure! Terry Mutter’s Sentinels, takes a deep and thoughtful look into the musicians’ life, loved ones he’s lost, and those still with him on earth. His songs ask some big, philosophical questions, too – questions we may all ask ourselves in our own time.