THE FOGHORN STRINGBAND - Devil In The Seat
Private Label
This is the eighth album from The Foghorn Stringband and what a fine collection of old-time music it is.
The band is based around two couples - Caleb Klauder (vocals, mandolin, fiddle) and Reeb Williams (vocals, guitar) from Portland, Oregon and Yukon-based Nadine Landry (vocals, upright bass) and Stephen ‘Sammy’ Lind (vocals, fiddle, banjo). Together they deliver a punchy, raw old-timey sound which ranges from driving square dance songs to melodic waltzes, from newly composed fiddle tunes to gospel style songs, all delivered with a raw energy and refreshing enthusiasm. All impressive musicians and singers, they manage to achieve a lively, unpolished feel which gives a great sense of authenticity.
The album bursts into life with the opening song Stillhouse which will have you out of your seat wanting to join the hoedown. There is great close harmony singing throughout and some superb instrumental tracks including the wonderful traditional Chicken Reel which could not be more descriptive. Also included is an a cappella version of What Will We Do featuring the two girls singing in harmony and which they learned from Dervish's Cathy Jordan – a nice interlude in the midst of an album of firey, footstompin' music.
Sixteen tracks in all here and not a bad one amongst them which is some achievement on any album.
www.foghornstringband.com
Jim Byrne
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this CD online from The Listening Post The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 108 of The Living Tradition magazine. |