Album Notes

Portland, OR’s Mighty Ghosts of Heaven approach old-time music with knowledge and reverence, but still recognize the modern filter through which they experience it. Inspired by the experimental, original, and inventive musicians of the early recording era, the Ghosts add their own unique sound to the songster tradition. The material chosen, and occasionally written, by the Ghosts is broad and rich, with the songs easily moving from jug band blues to child ballads, from stomping dance tunes to delicate dirges. Stark and close vocal harmonies are the driving force of the Ghost’s music while a diverse combination of instruments, including ukuleles, mountain dulcimer, fiddle, tenor banjo, guitar, standup bass and a myriad of percussion are used in arrangements that emphasize texture and tone.

Kati Claborn and Gus Smith started singing together in the bayside town of Bellingham, WA. In 2000, they began performing with dulcimer and baritone uke, and were soon joined by Aaron Shear, establishing the ukulele as the backbone of what became Mighty Ghosts of Heaven. Shortly before relocating to Portland, OR in2005, Linnea Spitzer added her uncommon and adventurous fiddling to the Ghosts’ sound. Most recently, they have been joined by Andy Sheie on percussion and Lucas Jones on bass.