Gillian Welch looks as if she just walked out of Grant Woods' 1930's painting "American Gothic". Traditional, gloomy, haunted and tragic. The same words that can be used to describe her music. Her ballads are reminiscent of early and mid 1930's songs by the Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers and the Louvin Brothers, by which she was heavily influenced. She, however, was able to give a contemporary twist to this music, making it sound timeless.
Grant Wood - American Gothic
Like many others, I learned about Gillian Welch through the "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" Soundtrack. This 2002 Grammy awarded album of the year, included three songs by Gillian Welch. She even made a short cameo appearance in the film. Gillian Welch started singing professionally with her singing partner David Rawlings. They both moved to Nashville in the 1990's and were able to get the same manager that Alison Krauss had at the time. She was introduced to music producer T-Bone Burnett and their first album achieved critical acclaim. In the meantime she has released 6 albums, 3 of which were from her own record label Acony Records.
Wrecking Ball, I'll Fly Away, and Scarlett Town are some of my favorite Gillian Welch songs. It's perfect music to listen too when you're feeling down or lonesome, or when you're in any other mood. Click on the images below to listen to them, I hope you like it as much as I do.
You may also like:
My love letter to Alison Krauss
A History of Bluegrass (Part 1)
Johnny Cash's Inspiration
You may also like:
My love letter to Alison Krauss
A History of Bluegrass (Part 1)
Johnny Cash's Inspiration
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Wrecking Ball
Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch - I'll Fly Away
Gillian Welch - Scarlett Town
