DRIFTWOOD FIRE

How to Untangle a Heartache

2011-09-21

Driftwood Fire’s frontwoman Lynn Scharf sings with extraordinary confidence for a debut album—and she can whistle too (check out “Intermission”). Scharf has amazing control of her falsetto voice. Bandmate Charlotte Formichello picks her banjo with unhurried ease. The mix on this album is top notch. It was produced/engineered by John McVey (by day Formichello is an acoustic technician with the National Parks Service). “Let It All Go” is the focus track for good reason–-it is the best on the CD—listen for that blue note. “Appalachian Hills” is a haunting melodic story (with snare drum roll) of the Southern wrongdoing of men in white with gold crosses. “Backdoor” has more of a rock focus with electric guitar and “Paper Bag” is the story of the heartache and love lost with soft accordion in the background. The storytelling of Scharf and Formichello has caught the attention of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour contest. How to Untangle a Heartache is a captivating, heartfelt album. – Pam VandeKerkhoff

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 08/2009

    SILVEROOT
    BIG DIFFERENCE

  • reviewed 08/2017

    Jeremy Pinnell
    Ties Of Blood And Affection

  • reviewed 02/2014

    KEN STEAD
    Unfinished

  • reviewed 03/2008

    JAMES MCMURTRY
    Just Us Kids

  • reviewed 06/2012

    KELLY HOGAN
    I Like to Keep Myself in Pain

  • reviewed 05/2007

    BEAVER NELSON
    Exciting Opportunity

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.