Chicks With Guitars

Jazzdoc - great call on the Smoke Fairies. They sound much like the name of the band. Nice production from Jack White too.

John - Been enjoying that Stacy Earle record for a while, nice add to the list. She has a real charm about her and a timeless twang. Nice recording too.

My GwG to add today is Alela Diane, check out To Be Still (2009). She can get a little monotone but I'm a sucker for all the pedal steel and cello so who cares!

A related item: there's an interesting piece on Sarah Jarosz in this month's issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine. Worth reading if you're a fan.

Marty

Slightly OT, The same issue features a wonderful interview with Richard Thompson. Definitely worth reading if you're a fan.

I was just reminded of the whole southern CA wrist-slitting set on another thread. These bands are all lead by the distinctive female vocalist. I don't know that that they all are accompanied by guitars, but the shoe fits, as it were. These all fit into a darker, more melancholic genre so if you aren't into that, don't go here. Trespassers does move a bit upbeat, but not by much.

Mazzy Star - Hope Sandoval branched out to do solo work

Golden Palominos - Lori Carson branched out also doing solo

Trespassers William (no longer in CA - moved to Seattle for the great weather no doubt) - check out Anchor and Different Stars. I'm not fond of their later efforts myself. Anchor is a gem. Not that well recorded, unfortunately, but a beautiful album nonetheless.

Listened to Lisa Hannigan's new album, Passengers, this morning. Some of you may know her more as that alluring sexy voice on Damien Rice's material but she also had a critically acclaimed solo record, See Saw. This album is similar to the first in many ways. Most leans to the pop side which troubles me. I much prefer the intimate folk side shown on tracks like Little Bird, a beautiful, simple ballad. Overall it's a good effort and worth having for her gorgeous voice alone. The girl is also smoking hot...it had to be said!

Once more, I forgot something....

If you do give the Lisa Hannigan record a go, make sure you hear the last track, Nowhere To Go. Best song on the album. Sometimes I have a tendency to dismiss a record before I get to the last song so figured I'd mention it....