2009-11-06
Amanda Shires is a fiddle-and-guitar-playing young woman from Lubbock who cut her teeth playing on the side for the legendary western swing band the Texas Playboys at the age of 16. This is her first real solo outing and it is drawing praise from musicians such as Chris Isaak, Justin Townes Earle and Slaid Cleves -- as well as innumerable marriage offers from the (in)famous singer/humorist Kinky Friedman. The opening songs starts with her asserting, "I hope I haunt you good," and even though that tune is not representative of the entire set, Amanda's higher-register delivery and fondness for traditional folk storytelling grow on you. The dark "I Kept watch Like the Doves" and the outstanding "Mineral Wells" show a special talent. I hope she gets her chance to build a national audience; there's a lot more here than we can take in from these 11 songs. 11/09 Michael J. F-AmericanaVARIOUS
To Spirit Back the Mews: An Asthmatic Kitty Compilation
SHINY SHINY BLACK
Travelers
The Wayfaring Strangers
Train Home
BLACK JAKE AND THE CARNIES
Where The Heather Don't Grow
JIM WHITE
Transnormal Skiperoo
Rachel Sage
The Blistering Sun
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