The pairing of Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer is nothing short of magical on this seven-song collection of tracks. Mitchell’s clear, spritely voice is the perfect complement to Hamer’s thick, rich vocals, and when combined with the simple folk stylings of these traditional ballads from England and Scotland, these ballads are made stirring and beautiful. Child Ballads transports you to another time and place, and in so doing becomes one of the year’s most unique releases.
Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer, two songwriters who co-arranged a selection of epic old folk songs from across the Atlantic, are releasing their new record Child Ballads on March 19,
Mitchell brings an attentive and critical focus, measured with a slight whimsy and caprice that rounds the oftentimes harsh edge of folk music, and delivers a brilliant, entirely cohesive and utterly striking work of art in Young Man In America.
The last thing many would expect from Anaïs Mitchell would be a foray into psychedelic folk rock. This transition period, though, signals that Anaïs Mitchell is not only a voice to watch out for, but to actively pursue.
