Old time blues, gospel, ragtime, ballads, Piedmont style and country all combine on 'Whistlin' Past the Graveyard' to great effect as Andy Cohen, Eleanor Ellis and William Lee Ellis shine on their latest release.
The trio of musicians first came together in 1993 with their album, ‘Preachin’ In The Wilderness’, thirty three years later they’ve reconvened to shine their magic once again on a genre of acoustic music that’s lost none of it’s style or charm.
Together, the music the trio make is honest and authentic. When listening, it is easy to imagine hearing some of the older songs, such as ‘Columbus Stockade’ and ‘Shuckin’ Sugar’ blasting out of an old analogue wooden wireless set, or even a scratchy gramophone player.
Andy Cohen, Eleanor Ellis, and William Lee Ellis, share vocals and add glorious harmonies on the record to re-create a sound that is reminiscent of the Carter Family. Their instruments, guitars, Mandola and Dolceola are attuned perfectly with the stye of music and while incredibly skilful in their playing, there’s nothing flashy on the record, in fact, it’s very much the opposite as the real skill portrayed here is in the subtlety of the music.
Humour abounds on ‘Chicken’ while Steve Earle’s ‘South Nashville Blues’ loses none of it’s devastating pain. Where the album really shines though, is when the trio come together on the spiritual songs such as ‘I’m Goin’ Home’, ‘I’ll Be Rested’ and ‘I Am Born to Preach the Gospel‘.
‘Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard’ is an album that has been born out of love for a genre of music, and that love, makes it a joyous listen from start to finish.