The Wood Brothers
Two brothers decide to form a band, adapting the blues, folk and other roots-music sounds they loved as kids into their own evocative sound and twining their voices in the sort of high-lonesome harmony blend for which sibling singers are often renowned. While that’s not a terribly unusual story, the Wood Brothers took a twisty path to their ultimate collaboration. Indeed, they pursued separate projects for some 15 years before joining forces.
You wouldn’t necessarily gather this fact from listening to Smoke Ring Halo (Southern Ground), the duo’s third full-length album their musical chemistry has never felt more profound. Oliver Wood (guitar, vocals) and Chris Wood (bass, vocals, harmonica) refine their rich, spacious sound on songs like the rousing opener Mary Anna, the back-porch-funky Shoofly Pie, the waltz-time plaint Pay Attention, the elegiac title track, the gospel-inflected Made It Up the Mountain and more.
Ashleigh Flynn
Ashleigh Flynn’s most recent release, American Dream, is alive with stories about down-and-outers, young and old, all still hopeful, as is Flynn, that they can achieve the American Dream. The emotional depth and stellar storytelling will no doubt continue her trajectory of national acclaim and impressive sales. American Dream has won Flynn the following praise, as well as performance spots on Mountain Stage (NPR’s nationally syndicatedlive music show), opening spots across the US for Todd Snider:
“Her latest release makes it clear that she’s got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the contenders from the pretenders….[Flynn’s] American Dream is true blue Americana.” – PASTE Magazine, May 2008
“Possessing vocals graced with otherworldy clarity, it’s tempting to call Ashleigh Flynn Americana’s answer to Norah Jones. That comparison, however, hardly describes Flynn’s genuinely compelling storytelling.” -Performing Songwriter, July/August 2008
“I haven’t been knocked out by a female songwriter like this since I first encountered a young Patty Griffin or Nanci Griffith.” -Jambase, 2008 High Sierra Review
From Kentucky, Ashleigh Flynn grew up foot stomping along the Ohio River as the steamboats and barges made their way to the muddy Mississippi. An electrifying performer blessed with unbridled charisma, Flynn has released two previous full-length studio efforts, Chokecherry (2002) and Ashleigh Flynn, self-titled (1999), and a live recording Live at Mississippi Studios (2005). The Village Voice regards Ashleigh as “A darling of the NW Americana scene”, writing: “Flynn adds a smoky soulful voice. . . marrying styles such as bluegrass to pop.”
On American Dream, listeners join Flynn in exploring profound questions about the historical and political consequences of manifest destiny. Beguiling and wise, Flynn’s musical poetry muses on the expansive American Dream.
“Her latest release makes it clear that she’s got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the contenders from the pretenders….[Flynn’s] American Dream is true blue Americana.” – PASTE Magazine, May 2008
“Possessing vocals graced with otherworldy clarity, it’s tempting to call Ashleigh Flynn Americana’s answer to Norah Jones. That comparison, however, hardly describes Flynn’s genuinely compelling storytelling.” -Performing Songwriter, July/August 2008
“I haven’t been knocked out by a female songwriter like this since I first encountered a young Patty Griffin or Nanci Griffith.” -Jambase, 2008 High Sierra Review
From Kentucky, Ashleigh Flynn grew up foot stomping along the Ohio River as the steamboats and barges made their way to the muddy Mississippi. An electrifying performer blessed with unbridled charisma, Flynn has released two previous full-length studio efforts, Chokecherry (2002) and Ashleigh Flynn, self-titled (1999), and a live recording Live at Mississippi Studios (2005). The Village Voice regards Ashleigh as “A darling of the NW Americana scene”, writing: “Flynn adds a smoky soulful voice. . . marrying styles such as bluegrass to pop.”
On American Dream, listeners join Flynn in exploring profound questions about the historical and political consequences of manifest destiny. Beguiling and wise, Flynn’s musical poetry muses on the expansive American Dream.