Outskirts of Country Blog

Love These Sisters

Rick Teverbaugh  |  July 4, 2009

Without an appreciation for traditional country instrumentation and without a feel for humor's place in music, it would be hard to wrap your ears around The Sweetback Sisters and their new release, Chicken Ain't Chicken on Signature Sounds. Fortunately I have no trouble with either and I will offer that this is one of the best discs I've heard this year.

The title comes from a line in the Roger Miller-penned song that is the third tune on this disc, My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died. That easily sets the stage for the humor and/or irony that abounds on these 13 tunes. It is the second time the group has ventured to take on a Miller tune, the first time being Kansas City Star on their six-song EP Bang.

I'd love to hear more than just samples of that disc as well. The vocal magnificence comes from Zara Bode and Emily Miller. Their harmony is striking asnd spot on whether coming on a traditional country tune like The Sweetest Gift: A Mother's Smile, something Western like I Want to be a Real Cowboy or something more contemporary like You're Gone (Again). The instrumentation is solid as well thanks to the guitar of Ross Bellenoit, the fiddle of Jesse Milnes and drums of Stefan Amidon. On the disc the bass is provided by Joseph Dejarnette, but he has since been replaced in the group by Bridget Kearney. This is very good music and I suggest you give it a try. Find out more here. Let me know what you think.