Jenee Halstead

http://callitfolk.blogspot.com/2010/03/jenee-halstead-hollow-bones.html "The EP Hollow Bones is Boston-based Jenee Halstead's sophomore release, following her debut full-length The River Grace. Her exquisite alto serves her equally well, delivering silky-smooth ballads, or belting out country blues. The title song, Hollow Bones, is Halstead at her best. A glowing, bittersweet country waltz that drools emotion. The kind of song that often gets over-produced in the studio, but Halstead keeps the crew in line, giving us a mellow arrangement with the right mix of instruments (soft percussion, bass, acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel, and the wonderful and mysterious male vocals). The sublimely graceful ballad, Drunkard's Lullaby, from The River Grace album, is told with just a bit of country twang with nice acoustic backup. It's a lament told with the keen observations that only an experienced writer comes by. This is rich songwriting; modern originals that shake off the cliches, next to stories that evoke another time and stay true to tradition. A nice package from a very talented singer-songwriter who deserves a larger audience. Friends David Wax and Tom Combs assisted on some of the writing and I bet one of them are doing the background vocals. In April Jenee Halstead and our friend, Joe Iadanza are heading to the Netherlands for three weeks. Check out our preview post for Iadanza's soon-to-be released album, All In Good Time."