CD Review by Graham Lees

Called one of New Orleans's local treasures (where they have lived for the past three years), Jeff Burk and Vida Wakeman artistically blend blues with old-time country and Appalachian bluegrass to create this 12 track self-penned album, which appears to be a self financing project with no record label or number indicated. Vida plays rhythm guitar and takes lead vocals, while Jeff plays lead guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonises with lighter than air vocals.

One Horse Town kicks off with the thrilling acoustic based western swing flavoured 'Take These Memories', before giving way to the slightly slower 'The Land That You Love' with the pulsating sound of Harold Cavallero's dobro. 'You Said We'd Grow Old Together' offers a nice slow waltz as our heroine asks, "take me dancing, make me laugh out loud" and declares "I'm not ready to sit in that old rocking chair".

'Jack & Lily' is a chilly tale that is not for the faint hearted, as it looks into the dark hollers of suicide and the ghostly shadows that revisit a former lover.

Vida's infectious gritty vocals create a passion that spans the authentic old style acoustic sound of down-home hillbilly mountain music, while the nimble guitar playing of Jeff wildly stands shoulder to shoulder with the best, as they roam the stark landscape of American Roots music. Other polished musicians offering there service on One Horse Town, are Pat Flory on mandolin, Gina Forsyth playing fiddle, bass player Sam Price and Tom Marron on harmonica.

Jeff & Vida have been described as the equivalent of Nashville's Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings and the best folk duo since Pat Hardin & Tom Russel. Jeff & Vida are a force unto themselves as they unleash their power of songwriting and musical skills upon us here. As the title track closes, I see One Horse Town as an exciting and captivating album that is well worth seeking out.

Check out their website at www.jeffandvida.com

Graham Lees, Dewesbury, W.Yorks Write to | Website

1st July 2001