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Avg: 4.5 (147 ratings)
- Date Released: September 25, 2001
- Genre: Country/Folk
- Style: Contemporary Folk
- Label: Nettwerk Records
This 2001 debut was ahead of the curve on the string band revival.
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We Say...
Canadian all-female trio the Be Good Tanyas were a fair bit ahead of the curve on the string band revival; Blue Horse, their debut album, came out in 2001. Banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin figure prominently in their mix of traditionals (including the oft-covered "Coo Coo Bird" and the not-enough-covered gem "Lakes of Pontchartrain") and originals. The cut that leaps off the album is neither traditional nor original, but rather a song called "Light Enough to Travel," which was written by their Vancouver contemporary Geoff Berner. (Berner's solo-accordion original version is also available on eMusic, for the curious.)
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They Say...
Since the advent of CDs, reviewers ceased using phrases like, "From the moment the needle hit the vinyl, it was clear that Blue Horse had a beautiful, layered sound." Whatever the medium, the Be Good Tanyas have a knack for recharging traditional pieces with a sonic twist. Who would even think to take on a warhorse like "The Coo Coo Bird" or add electric guitar and drums to "Rain and Snow?" Frazey Ford, Samantha Parton, and Trish Klein sing, play multiple instruments (acoustic and electric), and, now and then, write their own material. They fill out their sound with a number of guests who add bass, drums, and a few other embellishments. Guest Jolie Holland adds her vocals to the breezy opener, "The Littlest Birds," a song that borrows, and puts to good use, a few lyrics from Syd Barrett's "Jug Band Blues." A pure country sound washes over "Broken Telephone," at least until an electric guitar takes a break about mid-way, while a jaunty banjo and mandolin energize "Lakes of Pontchartrain." Ford and Parton capably handle most of the vocals but what makes these singers special is how their voices mix and mingle in songs like "Up Against the Wall" and on the latter part of "Only in the Past." The same is true of their instrumental approach. Their motto might be "If it's kind of different and sounds cool, let's see if it will work." The production isn't neutral. Everything has been brightened a bit, and while this might have been distracting on a traditional album with a traditional approach, it perfectly balances the more experimental approach here. Blue Horse is a lovely debut, full of promise and great tunes.
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| 01. |  |
The Littlest Birds |
4:06 |
|
| 02. | |
Broken Telephone |
4:52 |
|
| 03. | |
Rain And Snow |
3:59 |
|
| 04. | |
Lakes Of Pontchartrain |
4:39 |
|
| 05. | |
Only In The Past |
4:56 |
|
| 06. | |
The Coo Coo Bird |
4:50 |
|
| 07. | |
Dogsong Aka Sleep Dog Lullaby |
4:46 |
|
| 08. | |
Mornsong |
5:33 |
|
| 09. | |
Don't You Fall |
3:38 |
|
| 10. | |
Up Against The Wall |
3:19 |
|
| 11. | |
Oh Susanna |
4:17 |
|
| 12. | |
Light Enough To Travel |
4:58 |
|
12 Total Tracks, 53:53 Total Length
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Credits
- Paul Clifford - Drums // Jean-Francois Chicoine - Mastering // The Be Good Tanyas - Producer // The Be Good Tanyas - Main Performer // Samantha Parton - Banjo // Samantha Parton - Guitar // Samantha Parton - Mandolin // Samantha Parton - Vocals // Frazey Ford - Guitar // Frazey Ford - Vocals // Trish Klein - Banjo // Trish Klein - Guitar (Electric) // Trish Klein - Harmony Vocals // Trish Klein - Cover Art // Jolie Holland - Fiddle // Jolie Holland - Guitar // Jolie Holland - Arranger // Jolie Holland - Vocals // Jolie Holland - Harmony Vocals // Jolie Holland - Harmony
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