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Beautiful Twisted

by Sharron Kraus

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1.
2.
3.
Moonbathing 04:01
4.
5.
Twins 04:37
6.
7.
Death Jig 01:15
8.
9.
Godstow 02:56
10.
11.

about

Download includes jpgs of original artwork and sleevenotes.

Kraus' debut album would not have sounded at all out of place if it had been issued, say, in 1970 or 1971, at the time when such moody contemporary British folk was cresting. That's not at all to say that it's revivalist, or uncomfortably imitative; indeed, to listeners who love that vintage genre, it's more likely a high recommendation. In its ambience, the album strongly recalls the work of Shirley Collins, Sandy Denny, and more obscure songstresses like Vashti Bunyan. She's a decent songwriter, and very much fits in the British folk lineage with her sad yet dignified melodies and lyrics with plenty of images evoking nature, epic love, and mythological aspects. There are (for this style) out-of-the-ordinary up-front depictions of incest (in "Twins") and references to modern life (in the shiny car and taxi driver of the title track), though these aren't too typical of the compositions. There isn't enough rock to the backing to call this a folk-rock record, but it's definitely far more contemporary than standard British folk, both in attitude and also in the pleasant variation of instrumental accompaniment, as in the ominously echoing keyboard of "Beautiful Twisted" and the bass clarinet squeals of "Song of the Unfree."
ALL MUSIC GUIDE

credits

released March 31, 2002

Originally released on CD on Camera Obscura Records.
All songs written by Sharron Kraus.

Recorded by Ron Guensche at New Future Vintage Studios.

Sharron Kraus: vocals, guitar, banjo, whistle, keyboards
Ron Guensche: upright bass, electric bass, lap steel guitar, mandolin
Amy Clay: fiddle on 1, 7, 10
Tracy Farbstein: fiddle on 2, 4, 5
Dean Welch: guitar, backing vocals
Marty Dowers: bass clarinet
Paul Conte: drums

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about

Sharron Kraus Oxford, UK

Musical collaborator / songwriter / improviser.
'Pagan radiophonica meets medieval balladry’
'sensual spellcraft’
'Floating freaky fun of the highest order'
'oddly comforting avant-garde masterpiece'
Labels: Sunstone, Ghost Box, Clay Pipe, Feeding Tube, Cardinal Fuzz, Second Language
... more

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