The Civil Wars
I first heard The Civil Wars about two months ago, when I followed the link on a Facebook page to their song Safe And Sound, a collaboration with Taylor Swift, and the official single from The Hunger Games. After falling completely in love with the song, I decided I should listen to some of their other stuff. I typed “The Civil Wars” into YouTube and clicked the first song that came up, Poison And Wine. After listening to the first minute I had a new favourite band
The Civil Wars are just two people, Joy Williams and John-Paul White. They have actually been working together for a few years, and I am so upset I hadn't heard of them sooner. To me they represent everything that music should be – no flashing lights, dance routines, lame videos or synthesized backing tracks. Just a piano, a guitar, two stunning voices and beautiful songs, with deep meaningful lyrics that come straight from the soul. Their songs, with their haunting melodies and exquisite harmonies have moved me to tears more than once. Their voices, despite being from very different musical backgrounds, blend in ways I have never heard before.
They have fantastic chemistry, and you only have to watch their live videos to know that you have two seriously talented musicians. They have won two Grammys, for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Folk Album of the Year.
I downloaded their free album from their website, and have been listening to nothing else since. I was literally counting the days until the full version of their album, Barton Hollow was released on Amazon.
The album is fantastic. There is not a dull song on there, even the most melancholic of songs has me closing my eyes and shivering at the beautiful harmonies. I have always loved the way a harmony can transform a melody and these two have it spot on. They have even taken on covering well known songs such as Billie Jean, Leonard Cohen’s Dance Me To The End Of Love, You Are My Sunshine, and their cover of Disarm by the Smashing Pumpkins has almost had me in tears. These covers are just as good as their original songs.
Another example of how well they work together is the easy banter they have whilst performing live shows. They sing live just as well as they do on record and it’s whilst watching their live shows that you really get a sense of their natural chemistry and charisma.
I really enjoy their music (as you can probably tell) and hope that I can "spread the love". I advise anyone who's bored or looking for some new music to listen to, that you look them up. They’re actually coming on tour to Cardiff in November, and I for one will make sure I’m in the front row when they do.
Organisations Community Music Wales
Info Sport & Leisure Performing Arts Music
IMAGE: thedigme
