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 02/2012

    THE WIYOS
    Twist

  • reviewed 06/2017

    Jim Keaveny
    Put It Together

  • reviewed 12/2015

    Billy Talbot Band
    Dakota

  • reviewed 08/2007

    BILL MORRISSEY
    Come Running

  • reviewed 07/2009

    THE TRACTORS
    Trade Union

  • reviewed 05/2007

    Uncle Earl
    Waterloo, Tennessee

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.