As much as a song about fatherhood as it is about the enduring charm of the game of baseball across the North American continent, Don Sechelski’s latest release is a folk-laced acoustic ballad that is exquisitely crafted from top to bottom.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Don Sechelski is a singer and songwriter who was accompanied by Joe Caporosa’s acoustic guitar, and Larry Salzman’s percussion on his latest single, titled ‘Playing Catch’. What first hit me on Sechelski’s single is its off-kilter and seemingly imbalanced main acoustic guitar part, soulfully fingerpicked to give the song a distinctive character; a character that mirrors the song’s words about the bond between father and son, grounded and secure yet with an uncertainty that is akin to almost everything else in life.
The song is also equally about the game of baseball and how its love has transcended generations, and is still something fathers and their sons bond over as they play catch in their backyards or out in parks. The music that goes along with the words is deep and richly colored. The pair of acoustic sound lush and gently saturate the mix, Sechelski’s vocals are understated and grandiose in their presence, and the arresting vocal harmonies in the pre-chorus are full of mystique.
The strangely voiced percussion and buoyant bass help add to the unique charisma of this outstanding piece of folk pop by Don Sechelski. ‘Playing Catch’ is a song about life, love, and the love of this great piece of American culture, delivered with grace and passion.