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Fan Reviews
Rite the First Time |
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Gorgeous harmonies and accomplished songwriting Reviewer: Carl McColman from Stone Mountain, GA USA The Filk and the Pagan communities enjoy the two best kept secrets of American acoustic music. Filkers brings playfulness and a fantasy/science fiction sensibility to their reconstructions of the folk tradition, while Pagan tunesmiths explore the rich storehouse of fairy tale and myth to evoke magic and wonder in their songs. The Three Weird Sisters create brilliant music at the point where these two vibrant genres intersect, and Rite the First Time, their debut CD, offers a fine sampling of their talent. All three of the Sisters are accomplished vocalists; instrumentation includes Gwen Knighton's wire harp, Brenda Sutton's guitar and bodhran, and Teresa Gibson Powell's upright bass. By turns playful and moody, shimmering and satirical, the songs on this CD cover a rich and varied emotional terrain. Two of the Sisters are songwriters and, like the Indigo Girls, each has her distinct style: Brenda Sutton is an accomplished wordsmith, wringing humor and ironic insight out of lyrics that are propelled by infectious melodies; while Gwen Knighton's mystical and romantic forays into the other world have an edgy, moody feel to them. Highlights among the original tunes include Dumb Dumb Dorothy, in which the little girl from Kansas admits she had it better back in Oz, and "Song of Fey Cross," a cautionary fairy tale with an ominous feel and a spine-tingling story. This CD also includes several cover songs, especially Cheryl Wheeler's When Fall Comes to New England and Dar Williams' Iowa, both of which showcase TWS's gorgeous harmonies. If you have any interest in Filk or Pagan music, this disc is utterly indispensable. Meanwhile, anyone who enjoys lovely harmonies, clever songwriting, and a sense of magic will find this recording to be well worth the price of admission. |
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Stellar eclectic harmony blend! Something for everyone! Reviewer: Eloise Beltz-Decker from Chicago, IL Three Weird Sisters (or 3WS to aficionados) really defy easy genre categories. They play at Celtic-music festivals, folk gatherings, science fiction conventions, renaissance fairs and pagan conclaves with equal skill (and similar audience response). Their repertoire includes original songs written by members of the band (over half this album), songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, traditional ballads, and more. Collectively, they play bodhran, stand-up bass, wire-strung folk harp, acoustic guitar, and pennywhistle, as well as do wonderfully-arranged, tight three-part vocal harmonies. There's funny stuff, serious stuff, storytelling songs, and mood pieces here. There are songs about modern life, about books, about relationships, about self-pity, about faeries and their wiles, and about history here. If you like Dar Williams, Christine Lavin, Tom Lehrer, or vocal harmony groups like Rockapella or the Bobs, give them a listen. If you don't, and any of this sounded interesting, give them a listen anyway - odds are you won't be sorry. |
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Three Weird Sisters get it right *every* time! Reviewer: adkinslawfirm from Conley, GA USA Right from the cover art, which shows you three diverse and talented ladies merrily brewing musical mischief, you know this album is something special. Bracketed in literary inspiration [The Wizard of Oz and Connie Willis' Doomsday Book], this is a musical sandwich of the best kind: delight and surprise skillfully blended, crunchy and tasty, poignant and funny, piercing and sweet. Covers of songs by Nancy McCallion, Andrew Ratshin, Gordon Bok, Cheryl Wheeler, Gwyddion Penderwen, Dar Williams, and traditional ditties are immediately accessible to a wide audience, but it is the original songs that shine the brightest in this musical galaxy. Something old, something
new, Something borrowed, something blue, Something original, and all of
it true--These Three [very ;)] Weird Sisters sing and play as one, in
the closest of harmonies, and take you along on the most marvelous of
musical journeys. It's a good thing the liner notes include the words to
the songs, because you'll want to learn them and sing along right away.
The only questions are, "May we have some more, please?" and
"When?" All this drooling has whetted my appetite, so
I'm off to listen to my copy again--right now! How about you? :) |
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Wonderful Music Reviewer: Katie Moland from Marietta, GA USA For anyone who enjoys eclectic/folk/filk/Celtic/etc. music, this CD is the best out there now, in my opinion. The harmonies are amazing. The diversity of the song selections is great. (My favorites being Pity Party and Absolutely Bonkers.) Having followed the evolution of the The Three Weird Sisters over the last few years, the opportunity to be able to pop them into the CD player and listen to them anywhere, instead of having to wait for the next gig is most enjoyable. My copy will get plenty of use. (That is, until the next one comes out...hint, hint.) |
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Terrific Debut Reviewer: Rob Wynne from Norcross, GA USA Fans of Atlanta's Three Weird Sisters have been anticipating their first CD for a while, and it does not disappoint. Tight harmonies and arrangements showcase the bands eclectic mixture of instruments, and includes a great mix of material, from the funny to the profound. Not to be missed! |
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