Blue Horse

On their debut CD, three young Canadian songbirds (Frazey Ford, Samantha Parton, and Trish Klein) join the neo-trad movement that has given us such notable voices as Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch. But where Welch finds inspiration in the dark hollows and tragic tales of Appalachian music, the Be Good Tanyas seek out sweetness and light, reveling in the interplay of their beautifully trilling voices. Blue Horse is deeply rooted but is not an exercise in old-time purism; originals outnumber traditional songs, and the core accompaniment of guitar and banjo is often supplemented by bass and drums, creating a Rickie Lee Jones-esque lilt in "The Littlest Birds" and a reggae-tinged groove on the haunting old ballad "Rain and Snow." The band name may be a bit tough to get your lips around, but the music of this talented trio is a refreshing drink from a clear mountain stream. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers  more