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Showing posts with the label The Henry Girls

The Practice--Listening to the Feminine Voice

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As a woman, I gravitate to the musical voices of women and I can say I have always done that.  And you would think that all women would support women musicians by purchasing recordings, attending concerts and passing the word on about women artists to friends, but this isn't always the case.  When I first became interested in pursuing a career as a songwriter and vocalist back in the early 1980s, there were actually few female role models leading bands and writing their own songs compared to the number of bands led by men and even when conversations among women came up about music, the women would mention their favorite male performers. Yet for me, I needed the tenderness and vulnerability of women songwriters because they spoke my emotions for me, whereas, even the most sensitive men musicians did not.  And of course, I had my favorite male-led bands and singers too because we all need the balance.  As time went on, I noticed more women supporting women bands an...

WME--Top 10 World and Traditional Albums of 2013

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Best Newcomer, Brianna Lea Pruett, Gypsy Bells, Canyon Records Top World and Traditional Album Ana Alcaide, La Cantiga del Fuego, Arc Music 2. Vieux Farka Toure, Mon Pays, Six Degrees 3. The Idan Raichel Project, Quarter to Six, Cumbancha 4. The Henry Girls, December Moon, independent release 5. Mario Adnet, Villa Lobos, Boranda 6. Maria Ana Bobone, Fado and Piano, Arc Music 7. Nitanas Largo, Serenity, Canyon Records 8. R. Carlos Nakai and Will Clipman, Awakening the Fire, Canyon Records 9. Vasco Hernandez, Luz de Otro Manana, Arc Music 10. Techung, On the Road, Arc Music Honorable Mention: Cheevers Toppah, A Good Day, A Better Tomorrow, Canyon Records

In review---Girl Swing

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World / Folk   The Henry Girl December Moon   Independent recording Hailing from Ireland, the sister trio (Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin) The Henry’s Girls are the UK’s answer to Canadian women folk bands the Wailin’ Jennys and the Good lovelies. However, they’re no copycat act since Henry’s Girls possess authenticity while even giving Irish music a facelift on their fourth recording December Moon .   One listen to their cover of Elvis Costello’s Watching the Detective (given a cabaret treatment here) turns heads.   And overall, their harmonies sound more bluegrass swing than Celtic.   The girls add some West African flavors via Gameli Tordzro’s kora on Moonstruck , an interlude sandwiched between the send-up December Moon and the lament Rain and Snow . Anyone looking for a warm acoustic album (banjo, fiddle, harp, accordion, kora, double bass, dobro, percussion, horns, piano, mandolin, ukulele, and Mexican guitar) will feel right ...