Gwendolyn
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk with evocative/eclectic touches
Status:
Most recent release, Bright Light (2011)
See also:
Gwendolyn's website
Comparisons:
Victoria Williams, Vicky Pratt Keating, Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Gwendolyn is a charming and unique artist. Her music is beautiful and strange. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Dew is the only one we've heard
Recordings:
- Ultrasounds (2000)
- Dew (2003)
- Lower Mill Road (2007)
- Bright Light (2011)
Dew
Release info:
2003—whispersquish
Availability:
See website for availablity
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Gwendolyn—guitar, vocals
Robert Peterson—upright bass
Quazar—pot and pan percussion
Douglas Lee—glass harmonica, saw, banjo, water jug
Guest artists:
Smokey Hormel—lead guitar
Ralph Carney—horns, lap guitar
Michaael Whitmore—vibes
Adam Merrin—accordion
Produced by:
Gwendolyn
Comments:
Gwendolyn's record is an enchanting listen. Her songs have a folk-influenced feel, but she weaves her own magic around them. This record reminds me of Vicky Pratt Keating's Blue Apples. There's something equally odd but addictive going on here. "Vacuum" uses the upright bass to great effect. "Nothing" has a cute lyric and a vocal that veers towards Victoria Williams' child-like tones. "Haphazard" is bluesy in an appealing way. Gwendolyn sings with less naïveté than on other songs. "Eskimo" is weird and persuasive. "Lady Strange" (ah-apt title!) is a fabulously freaked-out psychedelic tune. In all this is a great record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Further info:
Gwendolyn also does children's music under the name Gwendolyn and the Good Time Band.
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
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