I added four new or almost new albums to my Front Porch rotation this week and thought I would share them real quick. The first being the most heralded, The Harrow and the Harvest by Gillian Welch. A very melodic album with incredible storytelling laid on top of immensely interesting layers of acoustic instrumentals. There is plenty being said elsewhere about this album so I will leave it to others.
The Harrow and the Harvest album artwork has a life of its own. See the story below.
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Back in April John Hartford, Tony Rice & Vassar Clements was released to almost no fanfare, which is probably why you are scratching your head wondering why you haven't heard of this album. With Roy Huskey on bass this album brings together some of the most influential acoustic artists of the past 20 years and definitely worth your money. Don't expect a ton of improv and solo work here. It's just straight-forward standards without much flash but still a lot of good music.
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Sarah Jarosz has followed up her debut 2009 release Song Up in Her Head with an equal effort. Follow Me Down presents 11 individually unique and entertaining tracks. Only two of the tracks are not originals including a Dylan and Radiohead cover (with help from fellow Radiohead fan Chris Thile) and there isn't a bad song in this package. The whole album leaves we wondering just how good can she become?
Hear Sarah talk about the new album.
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The Greencards latest release The Brick Album is out. This one may be more of a stretch for some. There are times when this album is pretty awesome like when Same Bush joins them for the groovy/pop/earthy "Make it Out West" but there are some songs that drag this album down as well. Take a good listen to previews on this one before you buy the whole thing.
