Aoife O'Donovan and Gregory Liszt of "Crooked Still" in our studio
When Crooked Still formed in 2001, it was a band of twenty-somethings from the Boston conservatory scene playing a genre-bending blend of bluegrass and folk. Critics raved about the sound of young Americans reinterpreting old Appalachian tunes.
Now, seven years later, with world tours under their belt and a recent overhaul of their lineup, they’re a little older, a little wiser — and every bit as innovative. Bluegrass and folk, pop and blues, maybe even jazz. They play mountain music from an old-time era, polished with percussive banjo-beats and an ethereal voice.
With us today we’ve got Crooked Still’s banjo player, their fiddler, and their singer-guitarist to put their sound in our ears.
This hour, On Point: breakout bluegrass innovators, Crooked Still.
-Jane Clayson, guest host
Guests:
Aoife O’Donovan, lead singer and founding member of Crooked Still.
Gregory Liszt, banjo player and founding member of Crooked Still. In 2006, he toured with Bruce Springsteen as a member of the Seeger Sessions Band.
Brittany Haas, fiddler for Crooked Still.
Links & Multimedia:
Crooked Still’s official website tells the band’s story and has all the information you could want on tour dates and recordings.
Double-bass player Corey DiMario’s blog, “Play the Bass, Drive the Bus,” has a big selection of videos from Crooked Still’s performances.
This is Crooked Still performing “Captain, Captain” (also heard in today’s show) from a recent show at the Basement in Nashville:
And here they are performing “Undone in Sorrow” at the Basement:
Tags: Americana, Appalachia, bluegrass, folk, Music
love Aoife’s voice, Wayfaring Strangers or Crooked Still.
Posted by Nate, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:07 am EDTCrooked Still also makes great use of the Rushad’s cello.
thanks for the fun festival times.
You guys are terrific. I spent a lot of my youth resisting bluegrass because my father made me listen to it nonstop. Now, as an adult, I thank him for that education because I love music that displays an imaginative use of bluegrass technique or influence. You guys fit the bill. I just bought your album! When are you playing another Boston date?
Great show today, OnPoint folks!
Posted by lit, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am EDTRushad’s not with the group anymore. When he left, they added a new cello player and a fiddle. They still have a GREAT sound.
Posted by Tina, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am EDTSo delighted to explore Crooked Still’s new sound. What a delightful opportunity to really hear Brittney at work!
Posted by Bonny, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am EDTI don’t care for this programming. Too much music! I listen to this radio station during the day to hear talking, news, discussions, etc. NOT MUSIC!
Posted by Lori, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am EDTI’m a new fan of Crooked Still. I saw the at Floydfest recently and was blown away. Loved ‘em.
What was their impression of Floydfest?
Posted by Will Webber, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am EDTI’ve been a fan for several years, but just saw the new line-up at FloydFest – they were fantastic!
Posted by Tina, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:44 am EDTCrooked Still – thought you might appreciate this. Here’s Hanneke Caseel accompanying my daughter Ariana singing Crooked Still’s version of Ain’t No Grave at last year’s Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IA1F1X6QDM
We’re huge fans – thanks for all the music!
Posted by Ed, on August 12th, 2008 at 11:45 am EDTI’m a big Crooked Still fan. I’ve been lucky to catch two very intimate shows this summer — one in a pub in Galway, Ireland; the other in a bar in Portsmouth, NH. The Portsmouth show was moved to a bar at the last minute because the outdoor venue was rained out. The band didn’t have to do the show, but I guess they just love to play.
@lit, I think their next show in the area is at the ICONS festival in September. Check the Crooked Still web site to be sure.
Thanks, WBUR, for giving Crooked Still a whole hour!
Posted by Dave, on August 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm EDTTerrible sound. If I were Crooked Still I wouldn’t let such poorly recorded stuff be made public. The banjo and the bass are way too loud in the mix. It’s a pity.
Posted by David Levine, on August 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm EDTDavid: thanks for the feedback. Just curious, which audio are you referring to specifically? There wasn’t a bass in our studio today, just banjo, fiddle, and vocals. Perhaps you’re referring to one of the YouTube videos?
Posted by Wen Stephenson, on August 12th, 2008 at 3:23 pm EDTI hope you can find a way to play some South Florida dates on your next tour. I’m a relatively recent fan, having seen your appearance on Woodsongs, I just have to see your band in a live setting (YouTube has it’s limits).
A DVD would be a great way for me to spread the word to my friends, please think about using some of the existing high quality video from the show you did in Scotland. That show comes across well even on the tiny computer screen.
The new CD is excellent, I wish you all possible future success!
Posted by Bill Rose, on August 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pm EDTGreat to hear this charismatic band speaking about their music. I discovered Crooked Still only 3 months ago and am already a fan. How about a book of music for these great Crooked Still tracks? I am addicted to this soulful bluegrass sound and want to play the songs.
Come back to Scotland soon, your music chimes with traditional Scottish music wonderfully – hope to see you on the Isle of Skye on your next tour.
Posted by Grant Jeffrey, on August 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm EDTGreat sound!
Posted by David, on August 12th, 2008 at 7:01 pm EDT(Methinks Mr. Levine is being a troll.)
Great show, really enjoyed the stories and comments that Aoife, Greg, and Brittany shared. For those of you who’ve never heard Crooked Still before, make sure to check out any one of their albums because you haven’t really heard this group until you’ve heard them with their cello and double-bass!
Posted by Woland, on August 13th, 2008 at 12:05 am EDTGreat show, great sound … I’ve been listening to Crooked Still for over a year now and I’m spreading the word in the UK. They’re getting better known over here too! Much deserved.
Posted by Andy R., on August 14th, 2008 at 3:26 am EDTThis is a fantastic band! Wonderful people/players /performers..the whole package. Thanks for doing this story. We love you guys and hope to see you again soon!
Posted by Wayne Smith, on August 14th, 2008 at 5:58 pm EDTI saw Crooked Still perform at the Narrows Center in Fall River. They were our first Signature Sounds sellout and put on a tremendous show. Rashad may be the only musician who’s ever taken his shirt off during a show. He certainly knows how to stay out near the edge. Was I mistaken our was that Aoife pulling him back? I’ll miss that strange chemistry but look forward to hearing their new lineup.
Posted by Brian, on August 18th, 2008 at 9:05 am EDTHi,
Posted by Bill, on September 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm EDTAll of the videos shot at The Basement, in addition to their AMA showcase set are available for viewing at:
http://www.youtube.com/billfive
Cheers!