In honour of it's 10th anniversary, Anna & Elizabeth's self-titled album will now be available as a special release for the first time on vinyl. On their second album, now considered a contemporary folk classic and major influence on experimental folk, Anna & Elizabeth honour Appalachian artistry and shed new light upon tradition.
A collection of 16 traditional songs thoughtfully gathered and interpreted, the album guides listeners through the duo’s intense personal connection with each song, for an experience that is as warm and intimate as their one-of-a-kind live performances. Soaring through rousing old-time dance numbers, haunting Appalachian ballads and lilting lullabies, Anna & Elizabeth showcase the incredible vocal capabilities of both LaPrelle and Roberts-Gevalt, and shimmers with breath taking moments of harmony, all laid atop masterfully executed instrumentals. A record equally as invigorating as it is contemplative, ‘Anna & Elizabeth’ allows for the prolific talents of these two women to shine brighter than ever before.
Anna & Elizabeth (comprised of multi-instrumentalist and singer Anna Roberts-Gevalt, and acclaimed Appalachian ballad singer Elizabeth LaPrelle) come from a rich tradition of singers in the Appalachian mountains and have studied at the feet of the masters. In traditional Appalachian music, the voice—unaffected and pure—is seen as a servant to the songs. There’s no maudlin emotionalism in the singing, no melodramatic tension and release; the unleavened sound of the singer’s voice is the key to delivering the chilling messages of struggle and redemption at the heart of these songs. LaPrelle and Roberts-Gevalt have honed in on that spirit, creating work that is born of tradition, yet is so personal and so passionately executed, that it speaks volumes to the modern ear.