Brennen Leigh - The Box (2015)

Tracklist

01. Rolling Green Hills
02. The Box
03. Something Borrowed
04. Sleeping with the Devil
05. What'll I Do
06. Distracted
07. Traveling On
08. Just to Hear My Little Bluebird Sing
09. You Made a Fool out of Me
10. Are You Stringing Me Along
11. In the Bighorn Mountains
12. Backsliding Blues
13. Unbroken Line

If what passes for country music these days gives you a headache, Brennen Leigh has the remedy.” So wrote the Austin Chronicle in a review of the talented singer-songwriter’s latest album The Box. She mixes the traditional sounds of country and bluegrass effortlessly and with deep admiration, yet manages to remain contemporary with subject matter that is both fascinating and universal. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Leigh lived in Moorhead, Minnesota where she began performing with her brother Seth Hulbert. In 2002, she decided to give Austin a try. A dependable mandolin player with a clear, voice, Leigh won over such influential Texas country artists as Dale Watson, who asked her to join him on stage, and Jesse Dayton, who she met at a festival in France. They, in turn, introduced her to a broad range of country music fans and like-minded musicians.
2004 was a banner year for the then fledgling singer-songwriter. She began a Tuesday night residency at Austin’s Evangeline Cafe, one that continues to this day. She also released Too Thin To Plow, a satisfying display of her firm grasp on Americana that won her some opening dates with Ralph Stanley. Holdin’ Our Own, a collection of duets with Dayton, followed in 2007. While drawing rave reviews for its gilded harmonies reminiscent of country royalty like George & Tammy, Johnny & June, and Conway & Loretta, it was notable for the fact that Leigh and Dayton co-wrote half of the album’s tunes. It was also during ‘07 that Leigh was honored to join personal hero Charlie Louvin’s band on mandolin. Her many associations brought further recognition, which grew into time spent collaborating with noted Nashville songwriter John Scott Sherrill. Americana champion Jim Lauderdale was one of the special guests on The Box. The 2010 release also featured the talents of Sunny Sweeney who reciprocated, by including the song “Amy,” a co-write with Leigh, on her 2011 disc Concrete. Leigh has most recently lent her mandolin and acoustic guitar talents to the Carper Family, an all woman trio and kindred spirits with a very traditional, yet inspired sound. Leigh has expanded her audience to Europe, especially in Norway where she’s performed eight times since 2005. In the multifaceted Austin music scene, Brennen Leigh stands apart with talent that is distinctive and a sound that is uncommonly satisfying.

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