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THE SWEET LOWDOWN - May

THE SWEET LOWDOWN - May
Private Label SLD2012

Canadian trio Amanda Blied (guitar), Shanti Bremer (banjo) and Miriam Sonshenes (fiddle) can take you on a journey that encompasses a sunny front porch in Canada to the outer reaches of the universe. They create a unique yet timeless sound. Drawn together by a musical passion for old-time music, hard driving bluegrass, sweet harmonies and well wrought songs, they pay homage to the musical roots while simultaneously breaking new ground. All three contribute to the band’s repertoire and each has a unique vocal flair as well as impressive instrumental abilities.

This album features 10 original compositions and two traditional songs that demonstrate a wide range of influences including Irish and Indian. The Heart Is A Hollow Thing is about how hearts beat, break, but beat again, Please Take Me Home about changing seasons, Let It Go about visiting old haunts with a dear friend, Hushabye, a lullaby for hard times, Drink It Down about the impending shortage of water, What Goes Up, a night time toboggan ride on the Winter Solstice – wonderful imagery. The traditional songs are Sail Away Ladies and Reuben’s Train. There are also several instrumentals.

May, expressing possibility and the springtime gathering of flowers, recently won Island Roots Album of the Year (Vancouver Island Music Awards). The band was also nominated for Vocal Group of the Year in the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Having played together for five years, they just keep improving. Their mélange of folk, old-time and bluegrass makes for entertaining listening. Their sound is fresh and original and they walk a musical road which takes us on a fine journey whilst having a clear vision of where the songs are taking us.

www.thesweetlowdown.ca

Kathy & Bob Drage

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This album was reviewed in Issue 103 of The Living Tradition magazine.