CD Review

The Greencards debut album Movin’ On (2003) was one of those albums that, if you hadn’t seen the band live, could leave you wanting a bit more. The overall feel of the album was perhaps a job well done, but in all honestly, it didn’t quite capture the energy and enthusiasm of a Greencards concert. Fortunately, the kids from Britain and Australia didn’t make the same mistake twice with their second album, Weather and Water, one this year’s best bluegrass efforts.

Weather and Water features The Greencards’ vocalist and bassist Carol Young, fiddler Eamon McLaughlin, and mandolin player Kym Warner acting like seasoned bluegrass veterans. Young’s voice sparkles on the opener “The Ghost Of Who We Were,” while McLoughlin and Warner take the lead on “Almost Home,” a tune that perfectly leads into another gem, “Like a Melody.” Each song shows off The Greencards’ immense talent and ability to create fresh music that you will want to play over and over.

The real treat on Weather and Water is the standout track “Time.” You won’t find another song on an album this year sounding so sweet and smooth. It’s possible to give most of the credit to engineer Gary Paczosa for this sound, but when you have talent like Young, McLaughlin, and Warner in the room, it’s hard to get a bad result. It will be a shock if The Greencards aren’t making brilliant albums for years to come.