Susie Glaze & The Hilonesome Band Bring Bluegrass Sound to “White Swan”

“Fate gave the word...” Stories of tragedy and transcendence ~ the overpowering confrontation with one’s destiny ~ the sweet pathos in finding love and growing older ~ this is the human condition that gave rise to the urge to create folk songs from the earliest ages of human history. Susie Glaze comments, "This is the most truly collaborative work I’ve ever released. The fine players of the Hilonesome Band and I have created these songs together and on this album you hear their voices alongside my own." The new album, White Swan, has an anticipated release date of March 19, 2013.

She continues saying, "We’ve come a long way from the early years of our band’s inception. Our “Blue Eyed Darlin’” from 2005 introduced us to the world via the songwriting of our lead guitarist, Rob Carlson. We reached for the sounds of bluegrass because it was the music we loved ~ we were drawn to the stories, the romance, the warnings, the humor and the tragedies. With the introduction of new evocative writing by Rob, integrating historical elements along with new and deeper complexity in music, our sound has made a most interestingly subtle shift: we’ve cast a wider net to find a sound unlike anything we’ve done before. What is here is a true melting pot of influences that move us, from bluegrass to country to Celtic to Appalachia, and we’ve found our true home in this, our new, unique sound."

Lead guitarist Rob Carlson’s original songwriting is again a main focus of this album with four new songs, and some of the most sophisticated folk music on the scene today. Songs of tragedy at the hands of violence and mistaken identity, as well as lighthearted musings on love and growing older make up an eclectic and tunefully lovely mix. Also featured are songs from two other Los Angeles songwriters: Ernest Troost’s great “Evangeline,” and “Harlan County Boys,” and Fur Dixon in collaboration with Rob on “Little Rabbit.” As on earlier albums, the work of the great Jean Ritchie is present, with the profoundly moving “The Soldier.” Fred Sanders makes his songwriting debut with the Hilonesome Band on his original song of family, “Rockin’ in Your Grand Daddys’ Chair,” and Steve Rankin is the fine and expressive lead on Steve Earle’s poetic “Me and the Eagle.” James Taylor’s great anthem “Mill Worker” opens the album as a tribute to all working women everywhere. Also included is a recording originally appearing on Susie’s “Singin’ The Moon Up” Jean Ritchie tribute, the great “Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender (here just “Fair Ellender”), one of the most well-known of the original “Child Ballads” developed by Ritchie, joined by Ritchie sons Peter and Jon Pickow, and famed East coast fiddler, Kenny Kosek.

Tracks on the new White Swan album include:

1. "Mill Worker"
2. "Little Rabbit"
3. "Evangeline"
4. "Me and the Eagle"
5. "Fair Ellender"
6. "Harlan County Boys"
7. "Rockin' in Your Granddaddy's Chair"
8. "April Fools"
9. "The Dark Eileen"
10. "White Swan"
11. "The Soldier"

The Hilonesome Band consists of Susie Glaze: Acoustic guitars and mountain dulcimer; Steve Rankin: Mandolin, bouzouki, acoustic guitar; Rob Carlson: Acoustic lead guitar and resonator guitar; Mark Indictor: Fiddle; and Fred Sanders: Bass.

Susie Glaze & The Hilonesome Band has appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, The Broad Stage, CalTech Folk Society, The Freight & Salvage Coffee House, WFMT'S "Folkstage " with Rich Warren, Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, Don Quixote's International Music Hall, FolkScene with Howard and Roz Larman, McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Skirball Cultural Center and California Traditional Music Society among many others.

"This is the best in lush newgrass Americana folk roots fusion, forgeous eclectic blends of mountain folk and
exciting new bluegrass and celtic-inspired originals, all with the remarkable voice of Susie Glaze."

Find this and additional recordings online at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. Susie Glaze & The Hilonesome Band is endorsed by Martin Guitars and Shubb Capos./Images/SusieGlaze0113.jpg