Scott Clay narrates a compelling emotional tale, wrapped in his signature acoustic Americana brilliance, in remembrance of brave Arctic explorers lost with ‘The Compass and the Wheel’.
The Nashville-based singer/songwriter brings this tragic episode to life with stunning clarity and soul. His inspiration comes from letters written by the commander of the expedition ship USS Jeannette, George DeLong to his wife.
In 1880, George and his brave crew were caught out on the treacherous, frozen Arctic seas for over two years, unable to break free and find a way home. The chronicles of this tragic expedition were recorded in the book, ‘In the Kingdom of Ice’, from whence Scott draws his story. But rather than dramatize the fate of the expedition itself, Scott chose to highlight the emotional toll, the crushing lonliness and the helplessness faced. George and his crew must have had to endure , far far away from their families, in those brutal final days trapped on ice.
‘The Compass and the Wheel’ opens onto soft hopeful string arrangements. The tone is one of tranquil surrender. Scott begins to sing, narrating George’s letter to his wife, ‘I dreamt I back home, you were lying there with me, the world was warm and peaceful, the air was soft and sweet….’. Soft, female backing vocals add a layer of warmth and love to this conversation between a brave husband and his wife.
The lyrics go on to express George’s crushing regret and repentance for being so far away from this family and home and an element of hope that his trusty compass would one day lead him back home. It’s deeply personal and emotional, and Scott’s honest vocals capture that ache of being trapped in a cold, unforgiving place, surviving through keeping hope by warm, loving memories.
What stands out about this track is the stirring musicianship that amplifies the emotional core. From captivating guitar sections and soulful fiddle lines to steady, crisp drums, ‘The Compass and the Wheel’ features a coterie of remarkable musicians. The recording quality is rich and organic. Every musical element is heard and perceived clearly and in sublime cohesion.
The final minute of the composition is an exquisite instrumental-only section that exudes fantastic grace and composure while conveying this crushing sense of loss and surrender to a tragic fate. Knowing the backstory, you can almost envision that being the last moments of the brave crew of the USS Jeannette.
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