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Wellspring
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Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Unique music from a sincere voice at 2003-10-07
Carolines first solo CD, Twilight, helped me overcome fifteen years of musical burnout on country/folk/bluegrass from the 80s. Wellspring showcases Carolines growth and maturity, with finely crafted tunes, delicious lyrics, and insight into the core of of something that used to be - that half-mythical source of Southern music, the artesian font that country, bluegrass, and the blues all draw from. She leads off with a winner - Trace actually had me singing along, much to the disbelief of my spouse. Listen to her lyrics - Youre what I call reasonably attractive / with an ego thats hyperactive on the honky-tonk ballad Texas Two-Step had me replaying the track, just to make sure what Id heard, then laughing - weve all known those guys. I like Mortified very much - I just dont know how to describe it.Magnolias is a love song, pure and sweet and sincere, a story I can picture in my mind; Colorado Woman is an arguement between independence and need, co-written with her husband. The Way That You Are is a nice, Patsy Cline-ish number, a lament on men and the things they do wrong.Caroline is so deeply rooted in the South that her ventures outside just make the hold stronger. The mountains of Colorado, the rain forests of Washington, just make the smell of magnolias sweeter when we return home. With Wellspring, I can get a whiff of what Ive lost by leaving. Listen and maybe youll feel some of what youre missing, too.
Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Well-crafted original, compelling country and folk music at 2004-01-21
Originally from Mississippi, with a Masters degree in Southern Studies under her belt, singer/songwriter Caroline Herring found herself in Austin, Texas in 1999 pursuing a Ph.D. in American Studies. It soon became apparent to Texans that she has a keen intellect, aptitude and talent for writing hard-hitting songs which have both a literary foundation and earthy sensibility. A paradox, perhaps? No, just soulful. With the support of the Blue Corn label, her rise in the Austin music scene has been fast. Her 2001 debut, Twilight, was an immediate hit, and she was named Austins Best New Artist in early 2002 by the local newspaper and Austin Music Awards. At that time, she worked for Texas Folklife, accompanying traditional Tejano musicians to performances and shows. Marriage took her away from Austin in 2002, following her new husbands academic pursuits to Washington D.C., and currently to Atlanta.Caroline Herrings southern music flows with influences of country, folk, blues, gospel and bluegrass. Carolines sophomore release, Wellspring, recognizes the significance of two key sources of strength in her life - Austin and her husband. Concerning the former, she says, Texas, Austin specifically, was the source from which so much good came for me. Like the springs of central Texas, her music bubbles clean, pure and coolly refreshing. Concerning her husband, in her self-penned Magnolias, she sings we roughed through the wellsprings of our early days... The changes in Herrings life may explain why there are more relationship themed songs on Wellspring. Being deceived and strung along, is the tale in The Way That You Are. Carolines gift for poetic balladry is best illustrated in Mistress, the story of an East Texas slave and her relationship with a plantation owner. Mortified is about figuring out why we fail and fall in ways we never wanted to, but knew we would have to. Searching for the explanation may be elusive, especially as long as the crumbs from the table kept me satisfied.Shes also adept at incorporating geographical and historical references and imagery to reinforce her messages. Trace makes reference to the Natchez Trace, a trading route in Mississippi, while Magnolias mentions her love of Austin and the Frio. In Colorado Woman, she sings of tumbling with the dustbowls across the Oklahoma plain, but tonight I want to be a strong Colorado woman, I dont want to be your Mississippi girl. There are times I need you to hold onto, and there are times I got to hold on by myself. Besides Herring on vocals and acoustic guitar, Wellspring includes Rich Brotherton (guitars, mandola, glass harmonica, dulcimer and vocals), Bryn Bright (bass, cello, vocals), Billy Bright (mandolin, mandola), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle, viola), and Jeff Plankenhorn (dobro). Other accompanists put percussion, accordion, pedal steel and organ into the mix. Produced by Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen), this album balances catchy arrangements with the need to keep Herrings gutsy alto in the forefront. From the albums first vocal strains to its last, one never loses interest in her appealing vocals. The impressionistic songs offer a fair amount of quick, memorable lines. The instrumental accompaniment is first-rate without going overboard in any attempt to steal the show. Herring has now fully developed a personalized signature sound that revolves around well-crafted original country and folk music, with stories and messages that are very compelling. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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Twilight
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Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Herring is the best debutant ever Folk #1 at 2003-06-15
We were very pleased with the debut album of Caroline, As i am writing this review i am listening to her second album Wellspring which is even better than Twilight. But staying with Twilight it is a refreshion to hear that still music is made of this great class. Top folk from a splended and if i may say good looking performer.Buy this, keep the good work in progress and if you do so buy also wellspring, you wont regret.
Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Incredible voice and songwriter at 2003-04-12
We were fortunate enough to see Caroline perform in Paonia, Colorado. The songs are unforgettable. The voice refreshing and perfect for her music. Anxiously waiting for more of her music.
Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Warming up a cold night in New York City. at 2002-12-15
I heard Caroline Herring perform in New York, where she was opening for another singer; in retrospect, she should have been the main event. Twilight is a showcase for her phenomenal voice and wonderful stories. Sadly, I suspect that the only difference between Caroline Herring and any major star is the size of her labels marketing budget.
Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
Great talent at 2002-10-29
I was introduced to this album in a rather strange way. While my son was in the hospital in Austin, his awesome nurse brought me Caroline Herrings CD. A real bright spot during a bad situation. Now that my son has recouped I hope we will have a chance to hear her in person in Austin. As I am of the Joan Baez era- I felt it was reminiscent of some of her work.
Caroline Herring Band Album Review:
THIS IS SOOOO GOOD!! at 2002-10-12
Good grief, this is such an amazing album! This young woman is blessed with the most beautiful voice Ive heard in a long, long time.
Caroline Herring Band Album Editorial:
Twilight is the debut solo release for Caroline Herring. While hosting the Thacker Mountain Radio Show in Oxford Mississippi with her band the Sincere Ramblers Caroline met and impressed bluegrass legend Peter Rowan. After moving to Austin Texas Caroline quickly formed a following of dedicated fans along with some of the best musicians on the acoustic scene all taken with her vocal quality and songwriting craft. Produced by John Inmon (longtime guitarist with Jerry Jeff Walker Ray Wylie Hubbard Willis Alan Ramsey Delbert McClinton and others) this album presents Carolines music informed by the South with and excellent lineup of musicians.
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