Title - 'When The Sun Goes Down'
Artist - Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert
For those not in the know, Kieran Kane has been referred to as "the godfather of Americana music" for good reason.
His seminal work in The O'Kanes and Kane Welch Kaplin, as well as co-founding the independent label Dead Reckoning Records, laid the foundation for the contemporary world of Americana music.
A successful solo artist, collaborator, and songwriter (with songs recorded by Alan Jackson, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and many more), Kieran is a musician's musician: his playing is always understated, always groove-oriented, and always serving the song.
If Rayna Gellert seems a preternaturally gifted songwriter, it’s because she’s seen farther into the old songs than most.
Growing up in a musical family, she turned to Appalachian old-time music at a young age, becoming a prodigious fiddler and leading a new revival of American string band music through her work with the acclaimed roots band Uncle Earl.
An in-demand collaborator, she has toured and recorded with artists such as Scott Miller, Abigail Washburn, Toubab Krewe, and Robyn Hitchcock.
Kieran and Rayna first met, fittingly, at San Francisco's celebrated Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which led to their cowriting songs for Kieran's recent album, Unguarded Moments (Dead Reckoning).
They joined forces again for Rayna's 2017 release, Workin's Too Hard (StorySound Records), which they also co-produced. Their first duo album, The Ledges, was released in February of 2018 on Dead Reckoning Records.
Their second album together, the just-released When the Sun Goes Down, is out now and is a rather wondrous collection of ten new tracks.
1. 'Who Knows'
2. 'Bells & Clover'
3. 'Ain't Got Jesus'
4. 'What Would You Do'
5. 'Stable'
6. 'One Foot In The Grave'
7. 'Can't Live Without You'
8. 'Ghost'
9. 'Not The Time'
10. 'Shoulda Been Done'
The album begins with the laid back, porch-burnt 'Who Knows' and backs that up seamlessly with the faster paced both 'Bells & Clover' and the late night vibe of 'Ain't Got Jesus.'
Bringing the tempo down for 'What Would You Do,' Gellert takes the vocal lead here and showcases her stunningly emotive voice perfectly. Next up is the vibrant 'Stable' and that's followed by the free flowing 'One Foot In The Grave.'
Recorded live at home, When the Sun Goes Down captures the duo's grounded, restrained playing and singing with a shimmering intimacy. Perhaps none more so than on the heartbreaking sentiment of 'Can't Live Without You,' that's backed by the poignant 'Ghost.'
Inclusive of guitar, fiddle, banjo, and octave mandolin — in combination with their deeply affecting vocal blend — the album then rounds out with the upbeat duo of 'Not The Time' and the fun 'Shoulda Been Done.'
Complete with beautifully created compositions, expert instrumentation and a blend of voices that come across as fresh, gentle and thoroughly uplifting, Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert are two extraordinarily talented musicians.
Official CD Purchase Link
www.kanegellert.com
www.deadreckoners.com