The Witching Hour Sessions – 21/01/2018

Laura Cantrell

Born in Nashville in 1967, Laura Cantrell moved to New York to study law and accounting. Laura reached a wide audience in 2000 with the release of her debut album and big John Peel favourite ‘Not The Tremblin’ Kind’. The album was full of literate songwriting and accompanied by a cast of superb musicians and received a stack of rave reviews.
Cantrell has released 3 more original studio albums, the excellent ‘When The Roses Bloom Again’ (2002) which she toured alongside Elvis Costello, ‘Humming By The Flowered Vine’ (2005), and to universal critical acclaim: ‘No Way There From Here’ (2014). An album of Kitty Wells interpretations ‘Kitty Wells Dresses: Songs Of The Queen Of Country Music’ was released in 2011.
Lucky to see her play Kilkenny at the Roots Festival a few years back.
Tonight’s listening;

1 – Not The Tremblin’ Kind (2000)

Laura Cantrell’s debut album, ‘Not the Tremblin’ Kind’, is a mix of originals and covers resulting in an evocative blend of neo-traditionalist country. As a singer, Cantrell doesn’t have the pipes of a someone like Lucinda Williams, but, like Merle Haggard, her clear and simple way with a tale or sentiment leaves the listener hanging on every word. A fine record.

2 – When The Roses Bloom Again (2002)

A wonderful album that builds upon the strengths of her debut. The listener is in good hands with this album; Cantrell mixes classic country , pop , and a great taste in tunes to excellent effect.

3 – No Way There From Here (2014)

Laura Cantrell’s career is a lovely example of the virtues of quality over quantity. ‘No Way There from Here’ is only the fifth studio album Cantrell has released since 2000, and her first dominated by original material but while she doesn’t record often, when she does she delivers something special, and ‘No Way There from Here’ ranks with the strongest and most mature work she’s created to date.