PRECIOUS BLOOD (Ralph White & Amy Annelle roots country & folk duo)
"Amy Annelle and Ralph White have for years practiced a kind of musical and literal nomadism that makes their unearthing of spooky old folk tunes come out effortlessly heavy...the songs bleed out of their breath like fire"
~~Elliott Johnson, Arthur Magazine
"I feel like I should have paid forty dollars for this"
(overheard during a Precious Blood show)
Austin, Texas' new duo Precious Blood are indeed "kindred spirits, musical nomads who yearn for the same pastoral past" (Austin Powell, Austin Chronicle). Singer-guitarist Amy Annelle and multi-instrumentalist Ralph White (ex-Bad Livers) met while on tour with their original music projects; the two solo artists soon hit upon their abiding love for the far-flung corners of old folk and country roots music, and their duo Precious Blood was born. White and Annelle debuted the band in New York City and New Orleans, and showcased the duo on a US tour with roots folk legend Michael Hurley.
Precious Blood throw themselves into the tunes and times of rowdy public houses, haunted bayous and lonesome prairies with atavistic abandon, and impart this living spirit directly to the audience. They forego old time-y shtick and folk-purist formality, drawing instead from inner sources and a deep respect for the repertoires of traditional/regional folk and country roots music. Though most of their material is from the public domain, they can instill a more contemporary tune with the same idiosyncratic spirit as they would a traditional cowboy ballad, conjunto waltz or Georgia fiddle tune. Their first album, Top of the Holler, was recorded outside, live onto cassette in the traditional field recording style. They also contributed a live track to KVRX Radio's 2009 compilation.
Both Annelle and White are prolific solo artists, and are busy recording new albums of their original music. White was part of the Bad Livers' original and definitive lineup; Annelle fronted Portand Oregon's acclaimed modern folk band The Places. They have performed or recorded with notable modern folk and roots artists such as Roy Harper, Michelle Shocked and Michael Hurley. White also plays fiddle with traditional Cajun dance band The Gulf Coast Playboys, of which Annelle is an occasional member. ~~D. Walker, 2010
(contact: preciousblood | at | highplainssigh | dot | com)