Women's World and Folk Groups - Moira Smiley & VOCO: circle square diamond and flag (2008 EP)

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Moira Smiley & VOCO: circle square diamond and flag (2008 EP)

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This wonderful 8-song EP is presented as "a collection of Modal Americana made up of old tunes and new spirituals...". From the opening version of the legendary Kate Wolf's "Carolina Pines" to the final track, "Africa", written by William Billings in 1770, this gem of a recording combines traditional shape-note singing and Appalachian folk tunes with modern folk music and original composition.
Note: Some tracks are sung a cappella, while others are enhanced by exceptional instrumental accompaniment.

From the liner notes:
Moira Smiley & VOCO sing post-folk, improvisation-built songs that dig into old Americana and Eastern European roots. With four years of traveling together through towns tiny and tall, festivals, theaters and unexpected cathedrals, the women of VOCO make original music and find new ways through old songs."

The group consists of:
Moira Smiley - vocals, banjo, accordion, body percussion
Jess Basta - vocals, body percussion
Jessica Catron - vocals, cello, body percussion
Christine Enns - vocals, body percussion

Moira Smiley & VOCO: circle square diamond and flag
Song List:
1. Carolina Pines (Kate Wolf)
2. Bring Me Little Water, Silvy (Huddy Ledbetter, arr. Moira Smiley)
3. Garden Hymn (anonymous, text by Isaac Watts)
4. Return My Soul (music by Moira Smiley, text from a 19th century hymnal)
5. The Cuckoo (Appalachian dance song)
6. Parting Friends (traditional shape-note hymn from 1868, adapted and arranged by Moira Smiley)
7. Wondrous Love (shape note hymn, from William Walker's Southern Harmony of 1853)
8. Africa (William Billings, Isaac Watts)

Year released: 2008
Length: 24:25

Learn more by visiting the group's website here: Moira Smiley and VOCO