Weekly RecommNeds | The Staves And Hurray For The Riff Raff

By Aaron Stein Sep 11, 2013 8:45 am PDT

The StavesDead & Born & Grown

Sometimes we say that certain musicians were “born” to play with each other, but with the Staves, it’s literally true, as the trio is three sisters. The Staveley-Taylor’s from Hertfordshire, England play a wonderful, soothing folk music whose foundation is their gorgeous three-part harmonies. Dead & Born & Grown is filled with beautiful acoustic melodies and plenty of those voices. Think Joni Mitchell with her equally talented imaginary sisters Roni and Loni and you get the idea.

Spotify: The Staves – Dead & Born & Grown

MOG: The Staves – Dead & Born & Grown

Rhapsody: The Staves – Dead & Born & Grown


Hurray For The Riff Raff: My Dearest Darkest Neighbor

On the flip side we have Hurray for the Riff Raff, which is fronted by Alynda Lee who, as a Puerto Rican from the Bronx that landed in New Orleans, probably wasn’t born to play the sweet and haunting blues-folk Americana that you’ll hear on My Dearest Darkest Neighbor. Still, she does a pretty amazing job with it. This album is chock full of great covers, from Lucinda Williams to Hank Williams, Lennon to Harrison, Leadbelly to Gillian Welch, Lee takes on the best of the best and nails ‘em all.

Spotify: Hurray For The Riff Raff – My Dearest Darkest Neighbor

MOG: Hurray For The Riff Raff – My Dearest Darkest Neighbor

Rhapsody: Hurray For The Riff Raff – My Dearest Darkest Neighbor


Words By: Aaron Stein
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