Steve Martin and Edie Brickell - new album due April 23, 2013

What?

Steve Martin tweeted today to call attention to the announcement of a new album due out on April 23, 2013 featuring himself and Mrs. Paul Simon, Edie Brickell.  Martin has won kudos in recent years for his work on the banjo, and Brickell has built a solid songwriting career on the popularity of her mid-90's hit "What I Am".  This is a case of two very interesting talents you'd never imagine working together sharing a creative process.  The results are unpredictable, but with producer Peter Asher (James Taylor, Elvis Costello) at the helm, and guest appearances from Esperanza Spalding, The Steep Canyon Rangers and members of Nickel Creek, you're assured of a set of intriguing performances.

And as long as King Tut doesn't break into a chorus of "What I Am", all will be well. 

Learn more here.

von Grey - Make Some Noise

von Grey – Make Some Noise
2011, von Grey

von Grey is a family quartet based out of Alpharetta, Georgia.  Sisters Kathryn (16), Annika (15), Fiona (13) and Petra (11) are making some real noise in the country world.  Starting out as a chamber music quartet under the name Kannafitra in 2007, the classically trained sisters soon expanded into an Appalachian blend of Bluegrass, Folk and Celtic sounds.   In 2009 the band changed their name to von Grey, and have been developing their songbook ever since.  The band has already won the Lilith Fair Local Talent Search”, and sisters Annika and Fiona have shared the stage with the Chieftains.  Annika even won the 2008 U.S. 12-and-under Irish Fiddler’s competition.  There’s no denying the talent in the band, and when you hear their tight, 3- and 4- part harmonies on their debut E.P., Make Some Noise, you’ll be hooked.

von Grey opens with “With You I Can”, a catchy piece of country/pop with an impressive modular vocal harmony sound.  von Grey sounds radio-ready here with a sound that’s a bit young but not in an unappealing sense.  “Next To Nowhere” is a solid entry, showing off the quartet’s wonderful harmonies.  “Eyes On Your Honey” is a highly infectious country number with a touch of rock and roll attitude.  It’s a song all about what she wants in a boy, and has a chart-ready chorus you won’t be able to shake.   “She’s A Wildflower” shows lead vocalist Kathryn to be the real deal.  The songwriting and the instrumental net behind her are equally impressive.   von Grey closes with “Make Some Noise”, a catchy country rocker that shows off the more playful side of the group.

von Grey shows off a distinctive vocal mix on Make Some Noise; the filial connection between the sisters offering a unique blend.  At the same time, it would be nice to hear a bit more complexity in the vocal arrangement; passing notes, counter-movement, etc.  Be that as it may, the ladies of von Grey get inside of your head with their catchy songs and distinctive sound, and threaten to stay long term.  There are two or three songs here you simply won’t be able to shake, nor will you want to.  Von Grey sounds like they are destined to be chart gold.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about von Grey at www.vongrey.com or www.myspace.com/sistervg.  
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Review: Marc O'Connor - Jam Session

Marc O'Connor - Jam Session
2010, OMAC

If you take six world-class musicians and place them in an improv-based ensemble using jazz forms and influences as wide-ranging as bluegrass, jazz, blues and folk, one of two things will happen. Either that group will blend themselves into a complete organism; a living breathing extension of their six individual talents that somehow becomes more than the sum of the parts, or egos will intervene and what could have been magic turns quickly to dust. On Jam Session, due out April 13, 2010, Marc O'Connor (violin); Chris Thile (mandolin); Frank Vignola (guitar); Bryan Sutton (guitar); John Burr (bass) and Byron House (bass) spin straw into gold with one of the finest instrumental efforts of the new millennium.

Jam Session opens with "Granny White Special", featuring the blistering mandolin work of Chris Thile and complementary violin of Marc O'Connor. On fire is the first word that comes to mind; O'Connor et al. are so locked in its ridiculous. Even when the guitar solo that kicks in later picks up the incredible energy. O'Connor gets to show off a bit on "Gypsy Fantastic". You'd swear it was Stephane Grappelli himself sawing away on the violin. The musical conversation is lively on "Madeonia", with instrumental interplay taking on new heights in an absolute gem of a performance. "Swingin' On The 'Ville" blends the gypsy-jazz style of Grappelli with a more traditional swing form for one of the more intriguing songs on Jam Session. "Pickles On The Elbow" creates sparks that the reaction from the crowd in the live recording more than attests to. This barn burner leads into the country flavored "Don't Let The Deal Go Down". O'Connor's violin takes the lead, incessantly imploring you to listen while you dance along. The pace slows significantly for "In The Cluster Blues", as the ensemble languishes over a dreamy and introspective number. Thile steals the show on mandolin with the sort of fevered inspiration that can only be born of a dreamy summer day. Jam Session closes with "Minor Swing", a vibrant tune colored by the obvious Grappelli influence.

O'Connor, Thile, Vignola, Sutton, Burr and House create magic on stage; that's a fact that's readily apparent on Jam Session. Not a drop of talent goes wasted. The musicianship is tight and the camaraderie is nearly legendary.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Marc O'Connor at http://www.marcoconnor.com/. Jam Session drops April 13, 2010. You can pre-order both CD and Download versions from Amazon.com.