audio by album port fairy folk festival 2007

A gentle version of Blue Moon of Kentucky. DEVLISH MARY are a newly formed band from Melbourne featuring Ruth Hazleton (Kate Burke & Ruth Hazleton, The Horses Leotard), Liz Frencham (Jigzag, Frencham/Smith), Sally Taylor (Triskel), and Cat Moser (The Beenies). All members of Devlish Mary are old-time, bluegrass and western swing junkies from way back, and their interpretation of hillbilly and American roots music is uniquely captivating. Line up includes twin fiddles, bull-fiddle, guitar and 5 string banjo. Wah Hey…

Recorded at St Pat’s Hall on Sunday March 11, 2007.

The Lawnmowers with guest Ruth Ungar

Lady be Good, recorded with guest vocalist, Ruth Ungar at St Pats Hall session, Sunday March 11, 2007

Forming in 2003, The Lawnmowers have quickly established themselves as a force in Australian bluegrass, performing at over twenty festivals and recording two albums. Three times national banjo champ Dave Hellens and veteran all-rounder Andrew Clermont (Totally Gorgeous, Dya Singh) join with jazz guitarist Robbie Long (Kate Fagan Band), well known and loved bassist & vocalist Liz Frencham (JigZag) and internationally recognised harmonica player Tony Eyers, to create a distinctively contemporary Australian bluegrass sound.

New York based, The Mammals – subversive acoustic traditionalists recorded at St Pat’s Hall on Sunday March 11, 2007.

Window Slider contemporary fiddle tune. Respected contemporary folk musicians Scott and Louisa Wise and their three daughters Ruth (17), Lucy (16) and Rowena (13) make up this heartwarming family band. Recently written up in the UK’s Roots Magazine (”a family that plays together really plays together”), the Wises put out a lot of energy with 5 part harmonies, tunes and songs in a diverse range of traditional styles - whatever sounds good to them!

Recorded at St Pat’s Hall on Sunday March 11, 2007.

Wouldn't Mind Dying. The Cornhuskers present a fresh and eclectic look at American country roots music from the 1940s and ’50s. Featuring lovely harmonies and a vibrant, stripped-back acoustic sound, this lonesome and heartbroken blend cuts straight to the quick. Performing the music of Merle Travis, Johnny Cash, Bob Wills, Hank Williams and Doc Watson, to name a few, this diverse and original acoustic group packs a real punch with both their instrumental flair and ‘straight up’ delivery!

Recorded at St Pat’s Hall on Sunday March 11, 2007.