Post Description

From Victoria, B.C., The Sweet Lowdown is a trio that plays a blend of old-time and roots music. The three women are Amanda Blied (guitar), Shanti Bremer (banjo), and Miriam Sonstenes (fiddle). Blied and Bremer have performed together since 2008, and Sonstenes joined up in 2010. While their old-time instrumental groove is engaging (albeit a tad restrained), it’s the trio’s breezy vocals that are the center of attention on this project. Take a listen to the trio’s a cappella “Lights Across the Water.” Their rustic purity and earthy sensuality is the heart of the current roots music revival. The Sweet Lowdown reminds me of another west coast group of accomplished women, Misty River, which unfortunately is no longer together. The Sweet Lowdown’s rendition of the traditional “Western Country” imparts powerful rhythmic intensity and cohesive vocalizing. Each of the young women sings with their own unique flair, with Sonstenes demonstrating more bluegrass influence in her rendition of the self-penned “Don’t Walk Away” that also features guests Andrew Collins’ mandolin and Andrew Downing’s bass. Bremer vocalizes with wistful nostalgia on her own compositions, “Sing It High to Low” and “River’s Deep,” as well as the traditional “Going Up on the Mountain.” Blied’s lead vocals are prominent on her compositions that open and close the album, as well as on Chris Goole’s song, “$100,” that laments the fact that a C-note doesn’t go far and that nobody pays for music anymore. While that song conveys a lot of truth for musicians, I hope these three gals keep on trudging and don’t get the least bit discouraged. They have a great deal of potential and could go far. With a fresh sound and originality, they’re walking a musical road with a clear vision for their songs.

Track Listing:
01. Circle Song (04:12)
02. Sing It High to Low (02:36)
03. Riverside (03:15)
04. Chicken Under the Washtub (03:04)
05. Don’t Walk Away (03:18)
06. Ten Bar (02:47)
07. Going Up On the Mountain (02:43)
08. River’s Deep (03:10)
09. Western Country (03:07)
10. $100 (03:26)
11. Sapphire Waltz (03:41)
12. Lights Across the Water (02:38)
13. Red Shift Blues (03:56) 

Extra Informatie:
Aantal Discs: 1xCD
Genre: Bluegrass, Folk
Format: MP3 @ 320kbit
Year of Release: 2011
Speelduur: 42 minuten
Cover: Front is in de RARs verwerkt