Ollabelle

Inspired by everything from bluegrass and blues to country and gospel, Ollabelle takes these classic sounds and adds a subtle modern touch. The band, which formed - surprisingly enough - in New York's East Village, features Amy Helm on vocals and mandola, Byron Isaacs on vocal, bass, and dobro, Tony Leone on vocals, drums, and percussion, Fiona McBain on vocals and guitars, and Glenn Patscha on vocals, keyboards, and accordion. Joining the group for Riverside Battle Songs as producer was the multi-talented Larry Campbell, who also contributed and guitars, lap steel, pedal steel, banjo, cittern, and fiddle.

Riverside Battle Songs was produced by Larry Campbell with Ollabelle and mixed by GRAMMY winners T-Bone Burnett and Mike Piersante (O Brother Where Art Thou? Soundtrack, Down from the Mountain). The album was engineered by Tom Schick.

With Riverside Battle Songs, Ollabelle presents an album full of beautiful vocal harmonies and pristine arrangements. Boasting five different lead singers, all of whom also write, Ollabelle manages to present a wide ranging yet cohesive set of songs that appeal to an adult audience. From the funky opener, a potent interpretation of "See Line Woman," to the powerful "Riverside," to the bluesy, catchy closer "Last Lullaby," Riverside Battle Songs is a solid CD packed with layers both musical and emotional.

Nine of the album's 13 tracks were written by Ollabelle, including Hi Rhythm section meets Taj Mahal groove of "Reach for Love," the New Orleans flavored "Fall Back," and the emotional "Northern Star." The moody rocker "High on a Mountain" (a song written by the band's namesake, traditional Appalachian singer Ola Belle Reed), the contemplative "Heaven's Pearls," and the tender "Everything Is Broken," are just some of the tunes offering a variety of feelings, textures, and moods. Other songs on the record include "Troubles of the World," "Dream the Fall," "Blue Northern Lights," and "Gone Today" which range from the gospel interpretation similar to the bands acclaimed debut, to Celtic instrumentation, to story song, to raw bluegrass.