Album Notes

Reviews/DANCING WITH THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER

“Al and Emily Cantrell cast a magical spell with their airy, joyful acoustic songs. Emily Cantrell sings in a fluid, jazzy style reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, while husband Al plays off his wife’s Martin guitar with spirited fiddling and a dazzling mandolin technique -- his music weaves through her words as if the two were locked together in an intuitive dance. The duo’s fine album, Dancing With the Miller’s Daughter, puts a pop spin on acoustic folk music, with occasional detours into Celtic and traditional American tunes.”
-Michael McCall, Nashville Scene

“Al and Emily Cantrell have crafted a multifaceted collection of modern acoustic folk music -- and, through tasteful overdubbing, this duo is also a superb ensemble. Al’s gently soaring fiddle, his inventive, ringing mandolin, and Emily’s rich guitar chordings provide a tapestry-like texture to serve as a back drop for her amber-hued vocals.”
-Richard D. Smith, Bluegrass Unlimited

“Emily uses her voice like an instrument on soaring vocals, like some country Joni Mitchell. She hits wonderfully high notes on “The Owl and Me,” and Al’s excellent mandolin work compliments her nicely. He is also an accomplished fiddler, as on “Peaks of Otter.” That tune, by the way, contains the title phrase, which is about, shall we say, sowing wild oats. This couple has some unique, home-grown songs, presented in a refreshing way. Give them a try!”
-Jim Jacquet, Victory Review, Seattle, WA

“Al’s fiddling and mandolin playing, as always, is excellent. And Emily’s sweet voice is so warm and expressive. The combination of the two makes for some wonderful music.”
-Jim Lee, Dirty Linen

Bio/The Cantrells

The Cantrells are Emily Cantrell, singer-songwriter-guitarist, and Al Cantrell, a versatile fiddler and mandolinist adapting bluegrass, Celtic and western swing styles to Emily’s original material. Emily writes using images from nature and the West while avoiding predictable sentiments; simple love songs often reveal a deeper meaning through her poetry.

Emily grew up on a farm near Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Al was raised in the Pacific Northwest.

The Cantrells live in Nashville, Tennessee. They often tour the Rocky Mountain states.