This is quite different but very interesting. Cinder Well is the performance name of American artist Amelia Baker. It's all a bit mysterious. Her background is "the world of anarchist collectives and protests around Santa Cruz California".
Baker has played and toured in Europe with a couple of bands and seems to have now ended up living in County Clare. Add in a liking for the music and attitude of the wonderful Lankum and you probably get some idea where this is coming from. Oh, and there are heavy references to folk revival forged by these uncertain times.
The album consists mostly of songs and music composed by Cinder Well with a couple of traditional American tunes and one haunting instrumental. Right from the opening track ‘Wandering Boy’, which is credited as Traditional, the power of the voice grabs you and the music holds you.
‘No Summer’, self penned is nicely accompanied by sparse guitar. The other big influence seems to be Kentucky and the singing of the renowned Jean Richie. ‘The Cuckoo’ is from this school. The singing is beautiful, clear, strong, and fresh. Here is a performer who is trying to understand and deeply appreciate the tradition while presenting it in a contemporary manner.
‘Queen of the Earth, Child of the Skies’, an instrumental is a haunting piece but wonderfully played.
Cinder Well is a rare talent, who knows where she is headed. This is a powerful calling card with shades of Richard Thompson’s ‘Beeswing’. All in all, a mysterious but joyful work. Well worth seeking out.