Album Notes

Liz grew up listening to her mother sing traditional songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and Appalachia, as well as the rock and New Orleans styles about which her parents are also passionate. Since then, she has developed a unique style that incorporates the sounds of traditional and contemporary music. Her performance credits include North Cregg, The Sevens, and The John Whelan Band. She performs in a duo with English singer Hannah Sanders, is the lead singer of Annalivia, a string-band that fuses Celtic and Americana musical styles, and all-women Irish/American folk quartet Long Time Courting.

"When I first heard Liz sing I was deeply struck by the beauty of her voice. She is blessed with a tender way of singing that draws you closer to her and into the drama of the song." -Karan Casey

"It isn't every day you come across a singer with such heartfelt depth until you listen to the voice of Liz Simmons." -Aoife Clancy

"Liz Simmons is a honey-voiced singer from Boston who's reminiscent of Karan Casey, with whom she has studied. "The Whole World Round" is a sterling collection of British Isles and American songs, most set in straightforward acoustic arrangements based on guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. Whether interpreting a romping old Scottish tale like "Come All Ye Lonely Lovers", singing the Irish ballad "The Maid of Culmore" unaccompanied, or adding accordion to Tracy Chapman's "I Used To Be a Sailor" to give it a thoroughly traditional feel, Simmons sings with winsome ease and genuine feeling. Her harmonious duet with guitarist Flynn Cohen (who co-arranged the disc) on Richard Thompson's wistful "Farewell, Farewell" is a fine new version of a classic song."
-Tom Nelligan, Dirty Linen Magazine