Last month, Nuala Kennedy released one of the most gorgeous records to cross my desk in years. Her fourth studio album, Behave the Bravest (Under the Arch Records) showcases her angelic voice in both Gaelic and English and as usual, her superlative skills on flute and various whistles. If you follow Nuala at all, you… Continue reading Nuala Kennedy: Behave the Bravest
Back in the day when I lived in Upshur County West Virginia, I took every chance I could to hang out with, listen to, and jam with the local fiddlers of that part of the state. Randolph County, the next county to the west, was always a hotbed of traditional mountain music, and its festivals… Continue reading Jesse Milnes & Emily Miller
Rita Hosking has been a force of nature in the acoustic Cali-Americana music scene these past few years. With her husband and daughter as her foundation and band mates, Rita has gradually solidified her standing in the sweet middle ground between oldtime bluegrass, classic country, and modern singer-songwriter. Her 6th album, released on Tuesday 9/22/15,… Continue reading Rita Hosking: Frankie and the No-Go Road
I’ll begin this post with an apology. With summer festival season in full swing here at Fiddlefreak World Headquarters, and my own new CD released in May, the blog has not been refreshed lately. Sorry gang! I’m just returned from the renowned and unrivalled-for-fun fiddle camp held in Port Townsend, WA and called Festival of… Continue reading La Famille Leger: L’etoile Du Nord
If you’re not living under a rock in Greenland, you’re probably aware of Pharis and Jason Romero by now. NPR darlings from Horsefly BC. Makers of gorgeous banjos that are both rustic and refined. Two award-winning duo albums under their belts, and a couple of collaborations before that. Songs that mine the old-time tradition and… Continue reading Pharis & Jason Romero: A Wanderer I’ll Stay
Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle just released their second album as a duo, a self-titled collection of spine-tingling mountain ballads and gospel songs. These two amazing young women faithfully evoke the hard life and simple joys of traditional Appalachian music on banjo and guitar, with harmonies that encourage the listener to lean close and absorb every… Continue reading Anna & Elizabeth
Annalisa Tornfelt first came to my attention as the singer for Black Prairie (Portland, Oregon), a folk-rock group that began in 2007 as a side project for members of The Decemberists and has since evolved into an influential force in Portland’s exploding indie music scene. Her new solo album The Number 8 is set for release… Continue reading Annalisa Tornfelt: The Number 8
