The latest release by Gillian Welsh may not be everybody’s cup o’tea, especially those who are fans of hard-driving, maniacal mandolin musicality. For the rest of you, go buy this album, right now!
From beginning-to-end, The Harrow & the Harvest fills the room with sweet notes and smoky melody. Gems include Scarlet Town, Hard Times and Silver Dagger. What marks the entire album is a sparseness and a pace the can’t imagine fast food or fast talk; perfect for sitting with your lover and watching the sun come up over a cup of coffee.
Below is a short video detailing the creation of the beautifully evocative cover for the album. The fact that Gillian and David decided to have the cover art produced via letterpress printing [a true, traditional craft in an age of digital everything], speaks to their own desire to imbue the album with an artisan’s eye, ear and hand.