Review Of New CD - May 11, 2008
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Anna’s Deeper Roots debuts strong
Anna Lankford cut her teeth singing ballads of her native Blue Ridge foothills.
Songs like Barbara Allen and Fair and Tender Ladies became the building blocks of her musical lexicon.
And, it was performing songs such as these that she first became noticed in regional music circles, performing with her father, Jerry Lankford, and other musicians for Wilkes Playmakers’ hit stage play Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend. Her efforts on two soundtrack CD’s for the play earned her awards from the N.C. Society of Historians in 2005 and 2006.
But, with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin, the Beatles to Nickel Creek, Anna wanted to branch out and spread her musical roots. She’d heard of Rick Brockner’s folk project Deeper Roots. She was intrigued enough to walk into Minton Pawn & Music on Main Street in North Wilkesboro – where Brockner teaches music - and request and audition.
“Anyone with that kind of guts gets a chance,” Brockner said of their first encounter.
She got the part and from there, the musical chemistry quickly turned to magic – first with Rick and his son, James, on bass and later with Rick Gaughan on bass.
The later lineup has formed a songwriting-performance trio known as Anna’s Deeper Roots.
And, the group’s first CD was released this week.
Brockner, a veteran of the New York and Raleigh-Chapel Hill music scenes – having had songs played on various films, documentaries as well as ample airplay in both the U.S. and overseas - is the key songwriter on the project. His vocals, guitar and harmonica sets the course on songs like Through My Dreams, where he shares the singing with Anna. But, his songwriting talent is one of the albums main strengths with smart lyrics that are sometimes harsh and at other times joyful or melancholy.
Gaughan, who also paid his dues in Nashville – having played on the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Louvin, brings a surprisingly fresh element to the band. His ever tasteful wondering bass lines are like ocean waves carrying the listener to distant shores of originality.
Anna’s lilting voice is the real deal. The lonesome mountain tones come straight from her Appalachian Scott-Irish roots. Her delivery is as warm as a old-time hymn and at the same time, as chilling as a murder ballad. She also proves herself to be a competent songwriter, having been the sole pen on Hold Your Hand, a song that will surely speak to her younger generation.
All three band members shine vocally on Carolina Sky, a song about longing to return to a home in the hills.
The content of lyrics is versatile, but deals with many contemporary issues ranging from divorce (as in Comes and Goes) and even self-mutilation (Bleed Your Way to Beauty).
Several guest musicians also appear on the album, including Grammy winner Tut Taylor, guitarists Steve Barker and John Palmer and banjoists Adrian Tbrovich and Jerry Lankford.
The use of these traditional instruments compliments the folk feel of the album.
Brockner and Bill Ellis of Freedom Recording in Millers Creek produced the CD. Ellis also helped design the cover, liner and CD design.
All said, Anna’s Deeper Roots is a stunning debut.
Anna’s Deeper Roots will perform at the Plaza Stage at MerleFest on Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m.
The album is available at the MerleFest Mall, Minton Pawn & Music and The Record.
Anna’s Deeper Roots debuts strong
Anna Lankford cut her teeth singing ballads of her native Blue Ridge foothills.
Songs like Barbara Allen and Fair and Tender Ladies became the building blocks of her musical lexicon.
And, it was performing songs such as these that she first became noticed in regional music circles, performing with her father, Jerry Lankford, and other musicians for Wilkes Playmakers’ hit stage play Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend. Her efforts on two soundtrack CD’s for the play earned her awards from the N.C. Society of Historians in 2005 and 2006.
But, with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin, the Beatles to Nickel Creek, Anna wanted to branch out and spread her musical roots. She’d heard of Rick Brockner’s folk project Deeper Roots. She was intrigued enough to walk into Minton Pawn & Music on Main Street in North Wilkesboro – where Brockner teaches music - and request and audition.
“Anyone with that kind of guts gets a chance,” Brockner said of their first encounter.
She got the part and from there, the musical chemistry quickly turned to magic – first with Rick and his son, James, on bass and later with Rick Gaughan on bass.
The later lineup has formed a songwriting-performance trio known as Anna’s Deeper Roots.
And, the group’s first CD was released this week.
Brockner, a veteran of the New York and Raleigh-Chapel Hill music scenes – having had songs played on various films, documentaries as well as ample airplay in both the U.S. and overseas - is the key songwriter on the project. His vocals, guitar and harmonica sets the course on songs like Through My Dreams, where he shares the singing with Anna. But, his songwriting talent is one of the albums main strengths with smart lyrics that are sometimes harsh and at other times joyful or melancholy.
Gaughan, who also paid his dues in Nashville – having played on the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Louvin, brings a surprisingly fresh element to the band. His ever tasteful wondering bass lines are like ocean waves carrying the listener to distant shores of originality.
Anna’s lilting voice is the real deal. The lonesome mountain tones come straight from her Appalachian Scott-Irish roots. Her delivery is as warm as a old-time hymn and at the same time, as chilling as a murder ballad. She also proves herself to be a competent songwriter, having been the sole pen on Hold Your Hand, a song that will surely speak to her younger generation.
All three band members shine vocally on Carolina Sky, a song about longing to return to a home in the hills.
The content of lyrics is versatile, but deals with many contemporary issues ranging from divorce (as in Comes and Goes) and even self-mutilation (Bleed Your Way to Beauty).
Several guest musicians also appear on the album, including Grammy winner Tut Taylor, guitarists Steve Barker and John Palmer and banjoists Adrian Tbrovich and Jerry Lankford.
The use of these traditional instruments compliments the folk feel of the album.
Brockner and Bill Ellis of Freedom Recording in Millers Creek produced the CD. Ellis also helped design the cover, liner and CD design.
All said, Anna’s Deeper Roots is a stunning debut.
Anna’s Deeper Roots will perform at the Plaza Stage at MerleFest on Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m.
The album is available at the MerleFest Mall, Minton Pawn & Music and The Record.