Sam Amidon’s ninth album, Willing Brother Knowing, brings traditional material into a band setting of guitars, synths and loose, rolling drums. Recorded and produced by Big Thief drummer James Krivchenia, it draws on Amidon’s upbringing in a Vermont family contra dance band, alongside Irish fiddling and shape-note singing.
‘Dying Californian’ considers mortality through an old hymn, while centrepiece ‘Standing in the Doorway’ combines Amidon’s own lyrics with American and Irish tunes. ‘Banjo Rock’ closes with a blowout the pair describe as their manifesto.
‘Dying Californian’ considers mortality through an old hymn, while centrepiece ‘Standing in the Doorway’ combines Amidon’s own lyrics with American and Irish tunes. ‘Banjo Rock’ closes with a blowout the pair describe as their manifesto.
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