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The homespun, slightly quirky approach that guided the Be Good Tanyas on Blue Horse permeates their enigmatically titled sophomore release too. If anything, these performances beckon the listener even more into the material, as a fiery hearth might draw strangers together on a cold night. The singing is raggedy and breathy, the instruments gently strummed or stroked; like whispered intimacies, these elements cast a conversational spell. When something extra is added, it comes in minimal doses -- a sprinkle of barely audible electric guitar and unobtrusive strings enhance, rather than delete, the acoustic ambience on "Dogsong 2," while two cameos by Olu Dara stir memories of Joni Mitchell's early tapestries of folk and jazz. No single tracks stand out, but that may be intentional; by sustaining its blurry, wistful mood with neither gimmick nor interruption, Chinatown feels like an evening well spent with old friends. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk
Frazey Ford (vocals, guitar); Trish Klein (acoustic & electric guitars, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, background vocals).
Recorded at Lemonloaf, Bakerstreet Studios, and The Smilin' Budda Enjoyment Complex, Vancouver, Canada.
Personnel: Trish Klein (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica); Samantha Parton (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, ukulele); Frazey Ford (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin); Jolie Holland (fiddle); Martin Green (accordion); Olu Dara (cornet); Andrew Burden (acoustic bass); Roey Shemesh (double bass, fretless bass); Paul Clifford (drums); Aaron Chapman (musical saw).
Audio Mixers: Danny Kopelson; Adam McGhie.
Recording information: 248 Schrader, SF; Bakerstreet Studios; Dubway Studios, New York, NY; Hipposonic Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; The Smilin' Buddah Enjoyment Complex; Three Trees, Nashville, TN; Vancouver, Lemonloaf.
The Be Good Tanyas: Samantha Parton (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin);
Additional personnel: Doug Thordarson (violin, viola); Jolie Holland (fiddle, background vocals); Martin Green (accordion); Olu Dara (cornet); Roey Shemesh (bowed, double & fretless bass); Andrew Burdon (double bass); Glenn "Ike" Eidness, Paul Clifford (drums); Aaron Chapman (saw); Diane Williams (background vocals).
Uncut (3/03, p.97) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Unflinchingly devoted to a template of rural American folk and country..." Mojo (Publisher) (3/03, p.96) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Rich in quiet stunners. Frazey Ford's gently insistent songs have a rare power to touch....The Tanyas can sure tell a good story..."
The best in folk (with bluegrass influence) This is the best music in folk (with a strong bluegrass edge to it). And these ladies can sing with the best of the folk lady singers, maybe even the best. Very recommended. Submitted by rodd78 (Ontario, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Buy this now! If you don't buy another CD this year, you should buy this one. Chinatown by the Tanyas takes all that is good from old timey music and makes it new and fresh. I can't get enough!!! Submitted by a reviewer (Montana, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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