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Angel Band takes flight
With Root’s & Wings!!! Angel Band is fronted by three women, three
voices; Nancy Josephson, Jen Schonwald and Kathleen Weber offering
angelic three-part harmonies that are expressive and powerful…each
of them would make lead vocalist with any other band.
Angel Band was first formed out of a weekly jam session
headed up by Josephson's husband, GRAMMY nominated folk music
legend David Bromberg. Angel Band's backing musicians playfully
go by the name of Chum with Bromberg on guitars, National Steel
and Dobro. The rest of the band is Bob Taylor (bass), Bobby
Tangrea (mandolin, guitar, fiddle), Nate Grower (fiddle) and
Jeff Wisor (fiddle). They were joined in the studio by Richard
Crooks (drums), Bukka Allen (accordion), Marc Moss (hand drums,
piano), Johnny Duke Lippincott (guitar) and Terri Hendrix (handclaps
and the invaluable get down). Legendary producer and pedal steel
player Lloyd Maines also produced and played on the album, which
is released through Appleseed Recordings (Tom Paxton, The Kennedys).
These talents have created a diverse record that embraces
many worlds: Folk to Bluegrass...World-beat to Zydeco. David Dye,
host of WXPN's World Café, says, "The stunning harmonies are just
the beginning. Fine writing, three distinct voices, and Lloyd
Maines tying it all together." In any case,
With Roots & Wings is
red-hot. Offering 13 tracks with all but Chip Taylor’s “Angel Of
The Morning” being written or co-written by Josephson and Tangrea,
with Schonwald contributing to the accordion dominated “Patron
Saint Of Opportunity” and Mary Fay on the inspiring “Do Not Stand
On My Grave and Weep”.
With Roots & Wings leads off with "Hey Papa Legba", an
Afro-world-beat a cappella tour de force that smoothly transports
into the exuberant Zydeco "I'll Sing This Song For You" (track 2).
Deep and soulful, the bluesy “Down In The Fountain Of Good”
automatically catches the ear. The energized “Hold Me Angel” has
the traditional sound of bluegrass with the addition of pedal
steel that makes the sound even more interesting.
The initial two tracks are an ear-opening declaration that
Angel Band does not believe in boundaries. Not your traditional
bluegrass, but bluegrass and acoustic music with attitude. A great
team who all too easily weave their magical spell on the listener.
Very progressive, a kaleidoscope of graphically colourful music,
With Roots & Wings abounds with vivid and delightful piercing
imagery. Angel Band?…just Heavenly!!!
Graham Lees
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