Three Sirens (label)
27 January 2017 (released)
07 January 2017
Sublime may not be too strong a word to describe The Grahams. Alyssa’s vocals are clear and powerful while husband Doug plays mean and subtle guitar.
Their songs are as good as any Americana around today; themes and melodies combining to capture your heart and tell stories that resonate with anyone who has experienced any part of life.
This album features songs from their last two albums – ‘Glory Bound’ and ‘Rattle The Hooks’ – and was recorded live in Church House studio over 5 days.
To quote Alyssa Graham, “It was pretty much a free-for-all in the studio for five days. People were popping in hourly and picking up all kinds of instruments” No-one is 100% sure just who played what.
The friends who joined them in that frenetic 5 days include some of the Mississippi Blue royalty as well as kingpin from the Americana world; Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Duwayne Burnside, John Fullbright, The Norman Sisters ….. the list goes on.
What the result is is as I described above: Sublime.
The music benefits from a series of musicians enjoying playing together and delivering the songs in the most honest and honoured way possible. You cannot pick any track as a key to the album but every track takes on a new life as the different musicians give their talents to it.
They cover all sorts of styles from Country through Americana, Bluegrass and even showtime but always with passion and a sense of loving the music.
This is the kind of ‘and friends’ set that makes you want to seek out more of the music by the lead artistes but also one that does justice to the music that is being offered – a wonderful album.
The Grahams are touring the UK in February and March – this suggests they are not to be missed.
February 22 - The Greystones - Sheffield, U.K.
February 23 - Henry Tudor House - Shrewsbury, U.K.
February 24 - The Met - Bury, U.K.
February 25 - Philharmonic - Liverpool, U.K.
February 26 - NRFH - Gateshead, U.K.
February 28 - Victoria Hall - Settle, U.K.
March 1 - Arlington Arts Centre - Arlington, U.K.
March 2 - Ashcroft Arts Centre - Fareham, U.K.
March 3 - Salisbury Arts Centre - Salisbury, U.K.
March 4 - Seven Arts Centre - Leeds, U.K.
March 5 - The Lantern - Bristol, U.K.
March 7 - Ropetackle - Shoreham, U.K.
March 8 - The Convent - Stroud, U.K.
March 9 - Kings Place - London, U.K.
