duggup

Every so often I stumble across a band who you could arguably class as somehere between country and  Americana and I just get caught up in their performance. Today’s find is New York band “Ollabelle” and it’s their fabulous repertoire that just kills me, “songs of hard times, loss, compassion and hope” is how Fiona McBain describes Riverside Battle Songs, Ollabelle’s second album and Verve Forecast debut.

There is gospel, blues, bluegrass, and country influences all through these songs and their reworking of the classic “Riverside” (aka “Down by the Riverside”) is just awesome and taking up permanent residence on the MP3 player. Do NOT miss this. The vocals and instruments, the way they merge and pull apart creates a truly glorious music.

Now the for the best part, the arrangements and production is so sparse and undestated that you will find that their passion for their material just shines through.

Here’s a bit of hype…

Their latest album’s birth cycle began in November 2004, when the quintet retreated to Woodstock to work on new material, living and writing communally in a rented house and cutting rough demos in a studio-equipped barn owned by Amy’s father, legendary singer/drummer Levon Helm of The Band.

As Riverside Battle Songs makes clear, Ollabelle has matured into a one-of-a-kind ensemble with an uncanny ability to communicate such heady truths in a manner that’s both accessible and inspiring.

Ollabelle play “Brokedown Palace” (it’s from the Grateful Dead’s “American Beauty” album)…

You really need to hear this band do it’s thing, head over to myspace and just enjoy. Oh yeah, this is just full of tasty guitar bits. But you knew that already didn’t you?

Highly Recommended.

http://www.ollabelle.net/ and http://www.myspace.com/ollabelle