Mayfly CD 'Sweet is the Morning' Review, Spring 2014: http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/mayfly-sweet-is-the-morning/Content?oid=2340700
"It's almost hard to believe that Vermont folk music heroine Katie Trautz and her musical partner Julia Wayne have been performing as a duo for 15 years. These two talented young women simply don't seem old enough for that. The sound that these longtime musical buddies have created on Sweet Is the Morning, their third album as Mayfly, is mature and solid. It showcases not only their deep roots in Vermont traditional fiddling, plaintive vocalizing and harmony singing but also their understanding and love of Southern folk music.It has taken Mayfly a while to get this album together, because Trautz is one of the busiest folk musicians in Vermont. In addition to playing regularly with at least two other groups — Wooden Dinosaur and her own band, the Tall Boys — Trautz is cofounder and program coordinator of the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture in Montpelier.
Sweet Is the Morning could be its own course at the Summit School — or at least required listening. It contains original waltzes, a shape-note hymn, a classic by Mississippi John Hurt and well-known southern tunes, including "Ragtime Annie," "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Lovesick Blues." In Mayfly's hands, those songs transform from the usual renditions, powered with New England swing and a pair of lovely voices.
In a time when practically every acoustic CD released contains banjos and fiddles, making a recording stand out takes a special touch. Mayfly have had their "sound" for years, but this record reveals just how refined their groove has become. The CD is full of luscious examples of two women who are absolutely comfortable singing together, whether accompanied by instruments or not, and it's a shivering delight to hear them harmonize. Their lovely a cappella version of A.P. Carter's "The Birds Are Singing of You" is as natural as breathing, and is one of the disc's highlights.
Another extra-special thing about this recording: Sweet Is the Morning's guest star. Dirk Powell, formerly of the influential Cajun band Balfa Toujours and a renowned expert on Southern music, plays banjo on two tracks. He also handled the mixing and mastering, adding an authentic Southern lens that shades and softens some of Mayfly's more formal New England tendencies.
The release of Sweet Is the Morning is reason to celebrate. Wayne and Trautz are living proof that folk music is alive and well in Vermont and, happily, being played and nurtured by talented young musicians. Catch Mayfly live while you can, before we find that they're touring the world — like Anaïs Mitchell — and only rarely playing in Vermont." - Robert Resnik, VPR, All the Traditions, Sevendays Magazine
"It's almost hard to believe that Vermont folk music heroine Katie Trautz and her musical partner Julia Wayne have been performing as a duo for 15 years. These two talented young women simply don't seem old enough for that. The sound that these longtime musical buddies have created on Sweet Is the Morning, their third album as Mayfly, is mature and solid. It showcases not only their deep roots in Vermont traditional fiddling, plaintive vocalizing and harmony singing but also their understanding and love of Southern folk music.It has taken Mayfly a while to get this album together, because Trautz is one of the busiest folk musicians in Vermont. In addition to playing regularly with at least two other groups — Wooden Dinosaur and her own band, the Tall Boys — Trautz is cofounder and program coordinator of the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture in Montpelier.
Sweet Is the Morning could be its own course at the Summit School — or at least required listening. It contains original waltzes, a shape-note hymn, a classic by Mississippi John Hurt and well-known southern tunes, including "Ragtime Annie," "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Lovesick Blues." In Mayfly's hands, those songs transform from the usual renditions, powered with New England swing and a pair of lovely voices.
In a time when practically every acoustic CD released contains banjos and fiddles, making a recording stand out takes a special touch. Mayfly have had their "sound" for years, but this record reveals just how refined their groove has become. The CD is full of luscious examples of two women who are absolutely comfortable singing together, whether accompanied by instruments or not, and it's a shivering delight to hear them harmonize. Their lovely a cappella version of A.P. Carter's "The Birds Are Singing of You" is as natural as breathing, and is one of the disc's highlights.
Another extra-special thing about this recording: Sweet Is the Morning's guest star. Dirk Powell, formerly of the influential Cajun band Balfa Toujours and a renowned expert on Southern music, plays banjo on two tracks. He also handled the mixing and mastering, adding an authentic Southern lens that shades and softens some of Mayfly's more formal New England tendencies.
The release of Sweet Is the Morning is reason to celebrate. Wayne and Trautz are living proof that folk music is alive and well in Vermont and, happily, being played and nurtured by talented young musicians. Catch Mayfly live while you can, before we find that they're touring the world — like Anaïs Mitchell — and only rarely playing in Vermont." - Robert Resnik, VPR, All the Traditions, Sevendays Magazine
Sing Out! Magazine Review for the album 'Remembering', 2008
Katie Trautz is the director of folk mu-
sic at the Summit School of Tradi-
tional Music and Culture in Montpelier, Vt.
In addition to her academic pursuits, she is
also a fine fiddler, banjoist, guitarist and
singer. Remembering is a delicate collec-
tion of 12 traditional and self-penned songs
and tunes rooted in the old-time tradition.
The CD opens with “Piney Woods,” a
West Virginia fiddle tune learned from
Jimmy Triplett. Katie has a wonderful ap-
preciation for the lonesome sound of this
unaccompanied tune. Up next is an unusual
version of “Going to the West” that matches
the traditional lyrics to a decidedly
untraditional melody. It’s as if Shawn
Colvin had taken the tune and totally re-
worked the melody. “The Moon” is an origi-
nal song in which Katie combines the
haunting sounds of old-time mountain mu-
sic with a contemporary singer-songwriter
approach to melody and vocalization.
Another tune learned from Jimmy
Triplett follows. “Lost Girl” is a classic
fiddle tune, and Katie has a lightness of
touch that makes it very appealing. She is
accompanied by fellow Vermonter Pete
Sutherland on guitar.
Remembering has lots of surprises, in-
cluding the shape-note hymn “Bound for
Canaan” sung with Julia Wayne. They
gracefully navigate the crooked meter of the
tune with guitar, bass and mandolin accom-
paniment.
Katie offers an original fiddle tune,
“Malbec,” which resembles the classic tune
“West Fork Gals” that is from the playing
of Wilson Douglas. Once again, Pete pro-
vides strong guitar accompaniment to this
lively melody.
The CD concludes with “Titles,” a re-
worked version of “When I Can Read My
Titles Clear” that includes a new melody.
It features beautiful four-part harmony and
is a worthy setting for these classic lyrics.
Katie Trautz is representative of many
young people playing traditional music to-
day. On Remembering, she has used the tra-
ditional style to establish her own distinc-
tive and lovely repertoire. — TD
Green Mountain Playboys Make a Home for Cajun
by Gary Miller, Sevendays Full article here: http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-green-mountain-playboys-make-a-home-for-cajun/Content?oid=2453117 It's early on a Wednesday night at Charlie O's in Montpelier, but you wouldn't know it to look at the dance floor. It's already filled with couples two-stepping to driving rhythm guitar and drums, haunting fiddle melodies and French lyrics straight outta the bayou. The Green Mountain Playboys are in town, making a home for Cajun in their namesake state. |
Fan Mail:
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Dan Bolles, Music Writer for Seven Days Magazine:
Katie Trautz appears to be a woman after my own heart. This Friday, the Montpelier-based multi-instrumentalist swings by the Parima Acoustic Lounge-aka the best listening room in Burlington-for a show celebrating her stunning new album Remembering, which was quite favorably reviewed by 7D's Robert Resnik back in January. The talented folk songstress will have a veritable all-star band in tow, featuring guitarist Michael Roberts, pedal-steel whiz Asa Brosius, bassist Noah Hahn, and banjoist Nate Gusakov. And the name of said supergroup? The Tall Boys. Awesome!
Seven Days
On her new solo recording, Trautz does her mentor proud and really shines as a vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter. Her fiddling is full of old-timey swing, her five-string banjo playing leisurely, and her alto voice confident and full of emotion.... Read more