Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Monica Schley – “In the Shadows (of Enchantment)”

Monica Schley‘s “In the Shadows (of Enchantment)” closes out Ball of Wax 36 with some sparse, roughly-recorded folk. The first minute of “In the Shadows (of Enchantment)” consists of just harp and violin. The fidelity is decidedly low – it sounds like an iPhone recording in a small bathroom, but the playing is intricate and determined. Schley’s vocals finally appear, though buried a bit beneath the instruments. A song emerges from the plucks and hiss, one that sounds like the Cowboy Junkies doing a very slow, very sad version of “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Schley has a rich voice which, combined with the spartan instrumentation, adds up to a heartfelt, slightly spooky, small set piece.