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 09/2008

    DIGNEY FIGNUS
    – Talk of the Town

  • reviewed 02/2014

    KEN STEAD
    Unfinished

  • reviewed 07/2016

    Dolly Shine
    Walkabout

  • reviewed 01/2012

    MATT WOODS
    Matt Woods Manifesto

  • reviewed 03/2010

    SWEET TALK RADIO
    My Hallelujah

  • reviewed 06/2017

    Dan Mills
    Something Good

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.