Tres Chicas
I heard this group sing for the first time last night. Since I am all over harmony, I loved the music. I was shocked to learn today that the show I saw them on last night was from 2006! They haven't put out a CD since the one we heard last night so they may very well have just gone back to their solo careers now.
http://www.amazon.com/Sweetwater-Tres-Chicas/dp/B00023NDK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238717747&sr=1-1
Sweetwater
Amazon.com
Each of these Tres Chicas were members of justly lauded bands in the 1980s and 1990s: Lynn Blakey with Oh OK, Let's Active, and most recently Glory Fountain; Caitlin Cary with Whiskeytown; and Tonya Lamm with Hazeldine. Formed after a chance encounter in Raleigh, North Carolina, the trio has a wealth of self-penned songs on which to showcase their gorgeous harmony vocals. This debut release outshines other such talent-packed ensembles, embracing everything from gospel harmonies to front-porch singalongs. Instead of coming off as a revolving centerstage, the three are so fully present on every song that each of their individual compositions bears the stamp of the whole group. Their guitars and violin are joined by occasional keyboards and a spare rhythm section (including producer Chris Stamey on bass). Covers of Loretta Lynn ("Deep As Your Pocket") and George Jones ("Take the Devil Out of Me") show a glimpse of their roots, but their original material stands near-equal to that of their forebears. --David Greenberger
http://www.amazon.com/Bloom-Ordinary-Girl-Tres-Chicas/dp/B000E7GAW6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238701063&sr=1-2
Bloom, Red and the Ordinary Girl
Amazon.com
For their second album, alt-country veterans Caitlin Cary, Lynn Blakey, and Tonya Lamm turned from North Carolina to England to join producers Neil Brockbank and Robert Trehern (who have worked with Nick Lowe and Van Morrison), as well as a clutch of guests including Lowe, Bill Kirchen, and Geraint Watkins, whose classy piano carries their melodies. Neo-gospel opener "Drop Me Down," a Lou Ford cover, establishes a theme of spiritual and personal renewal, which unfolds through the album's serene, lightly-stringed sound. The singers take advantage of the space to build some of the most lush, intricate female harmonies since Emmylou, Dolly, and Linda formed Trio. Tempo can be a problem, however, turning languid and bleary midway through the album, with only "The Man of the People" (a jab at phony populism) and "If You Think That It's All Right" (a jazzy two-step take on an obscure Johnny Carver song) picking up the pace. All three singers contribute original tunes, and all three tend to strain after poetic effect. Love is compared to 400 flamingos preening in the water, while a broken heart bleeds red as a red barn. And while the album may not contain the Chicas' strongest songs, it expertly expands their sound via shades of soul and British folk-rock into temperate country-pop atmospheres. --Roy Kasten
http://www.amazon.com/Sweetwater-Tres-Chicas/dp/B00023NDK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238717747&sr=1-1
Sweetwater
Amazon.com
Each of these Tres Chicas were members of justly lauded bands in the 1980s and 1990s: Lynn Blakey with Oh OK, Let's Active, and most recently Glory Fountain; Caitlin Cary with Whiskeytown; and Tonya Lamm with Hazeldine. Formed after a chance encounter in Raleigh, North Carolina, the trio has a wealth of self-penned songs on which to showcase their gorgeous harmony vocals. This debut release outshines other such talent-packed ensembles, embracing everything from gospel harmonies to front-porch singalongs. Instead of coming off as a revolving centerstage, the three are so fully present on every song that each of their individual compositions bears the stamp of the whole group. Their guitars and violin are joined by occasional keyboards and a spare rhythm section (including producer Chris Stamey on bass). Covers of Loretta Lynn ("Deep As Your Pocket") and George Jones ("Take the Devil Out of Me") show a glimpse of their roots, but their original material stands near-equal to that of their forebears. --David Greenberger
http://www.amazon.com/Bloom-Ordinary-Girl-Tres-Chicas/dp/B000E7GAW6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238701063&sr=1-2
Bloom, Red and the Ordinary Girl
Amazon.com
For their second album, alt-country veterans Caitlin Cary, Lynn Blakey, and Tonya Lamm turned from North Carolina to England to join producers Neil Brockbank and Robert Trehern (who have worked with Nick Lowe and Van Morrison), as well as a clutch of guests including Lowe, Bill Kirchen, and Geraint Watkins, whose classy piano carries their melodies. Neo-gospel opener "Drop Me Down," a Lou Ford cover, establishes a theme of spiritual and personal renewal, which unfolds through the album's serene, lightly-stringed sound. The singers take advantage of the space to build some of the most lush, intricate female harmonies since Emmylou, Dolly, and Linda formed Trio. Tempo can be a problem, however, turning languid and bleary midway through the album, with only "The Man of the People" (a jab at phony populism) and "If You Think That It's All Right" (a jazzy two-step take on an obscure Johnny Carver song) picking up the pace. All three singers contribute original tunes, and all three tend to strain after poetic effect. Love is compared to 400 flamingos preening in the water, while a broken heart bleeds red as a red barn. And while the album may not contain the Chicas' strongest songs, it expertly expands their sound via shades of soul and British folk-rock into temperate country-pop atmospheres. --Roy Kasten
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