Album Notes

McKnight's sophomore effort continues his literate exploration of America’s back roads and small towns, richly colored with elegant harmonies and exquisite arrangements. Skillfully produced with original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, each of the 14 songs vividly evokes the setting; the spooky swamp blues of “Chemical Voodoo” set along Cancer Alley on Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta, the open Dakota prairies in “A Prairie Wind/Big Sky Town”, or the evocative Saturday night dance at the Grange Hall in “Shenandoah Moon”. Andrew’s wry charm, signature acoustic guitar style, and rich warm vocals shine throughout, tastefully adorned by the likes of Tom Prasada-Rao, Bruce Molsky and Terri Allard. Other highlights include the a cappella title track, the lush “Bargeman”, the crystalline simplicity of “I Can’t Understand the Moon”, and the anti-big box sentiments and Americana drive of “A Town Called Progress”.

“Some of the best storytelling backed by incredible musicianship, McKnight accompanies his poetic life-notes with just the right style of music; like drinking the right wine with dinner, he’ll never fail to please, whether it’s contemporary, folk, blues or Celtic. Pick your favorite poet or balladeer and McKnight will equal them with an Appalachian soul.” (Nicki De, Victory Review)

“Highly listenable and capable of evoking an array of moods, McKnight’s songs tell stories old and new -- love songs, environmental themes, and history. Leading off with the short instrumental piece "A Prairie Wind", he slides straight into "Big Sky Town", a song about pursuing your dreams against the metaphor of the gold rush days. McKnight’s guitar playing is fabulous as is his vocal delivery -- usually friendly and occasionally spooky. ” (Jonathan Colcord, Crossroads)

“rarely are talent and passion combined the way that Andrew McKnight unites them ... a distinctive and powerful new voice to the mountains.” (Chris Bolgiano, Appalachian Voice)