Album Notes

“Improvisational musicians Moira Smiley and VOCO weave banjo, cello and just a hint of funkiness into a night of unforgettable and unusual music. “ LA Alternative Press, March, 2005

“This is a truly phenomenal act, combining the energy of urban street singing with first-rate musicianship and folk roots and traditions from throughout the world. Their body percussion sets are a sight to behold.” Larry Wines, Folkworks Magazine, April 2005

Moira Smiley and VOCO is about the voice-as-instrument singing post-folk, improvisation-built ditties, ballads and dance songs. VOCO is Mouth Music and Soul. VOCO goes where the voice dances.

VOCO, a new band from Los Angeles, is the energy of street singing, the risks of improvisation with lush harmony and crooked rhythm. VOCO sings the amazing spectrum of the voice with unrivaled integrity and playfulness. Singing old and new song, VOCO draws on the wild, dark influences of Eastern Europe and Appalachia and the joyous, rebellious spirit of Soul and “mouth” music - music that mourns and dances at the same time.

Moira Smiley performs internationally as a composer/traditional singer of Eastern European, Irish and Appalachian song, and VOCO was born to bring her explorations into creative, physical performance. VOCO is utterly connected to the audience through participation, improvisation and percussive movement – their performances are joyous and moving. The unusual, rich and percussive combination of cello and banjo weave funk and grace into the vocals.