By Michael Lipton
Deolinda
www.myspace.com/deolindalisboa
Four Quarters Entertainment
Following up its enchanting first release, Canção Ao Lado," this Portuguese quartet again puts a modern (and wonderfully quirky) folk spin on traditional Portuguese fado. Ana Bacalhau's airy voice is the perfect vehicle for these acoustic songs, which range from the beautiful, lazy opener "Se Uma Onda Invertesse A Marcha" and the lilting "Não Tenho Mais Razões" to the almost Cajun-sounding "Sem Noção" and the blissful lullaby-like "Entre Alvalade E As Portas De Benfica."
At least in my mind, Bacalhau's voice brings to mind a more accessible version of German chanteuse Dagmar Krause's otherworldly sound. No clue as to what "A Problemática Colocação De Um Mastro" is about (since the lyrics are in Portuguese) but the quick, minor-keyed tune conjures up images of a European villa filled with visitors and the minor dramas and trysts that play out between guests.
<I>Deolinda makes its "Mountain Stage" debut Sunday in Morgantown show that also features Lizz Wright, Fruit Bats, The Holmes Brothers, Raul Midon and The Paper Raincoat.
'Thistled Spring'
Horse Feathers
horsefeatherstheband.com
Kill Rock Stars
This Portland (via Indiana) outfit has mastered the fine art of sparse, intricate arrangements that are every bit as haunting and vast as America's Midwest. Its latest offering is a fittingly gorgeous follow-up to the group's 2008 release, "House With No Name."
The instrumentation centers on acoustic guitar, piano and a string quartet, giving the tunes a decidedly chamber feel, which is accentuated by singer/songwriter Justin Ringle's fragile vocals.
On "Starvin' Robin," the group utilizes banjo, strings and field marching drum, gradually building to a sensuous round of vocals and melody. "Cascades" and "Vernonia Blues" conjure a darker mood I'll call "Appalachian chamber" a la David Eugene Edwards' Woven Hand project (which included a powerful version of native Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine" on its 2003 self-titled release).
Two of the best-realized tunes close the disc. "The Widower" drones, crescendos and builds behind, through and around Ringle's voice, and "Heaven's No Place" is, simply put, heavenly.
<I>Horse Feathers appear on "Mountain Stage" on Nov. 21.<P>
