FLAT MOUNTAIN GIRLS: Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds

Flat Mountain Girls

Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds

© 2007 Flat Mountain Girls (678277155527)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Ripping old-time music - driving fiddle tunes, and powerful, edgy harmonies.

notes

** Co-winners of the 2006 Northwest String Summit band contest! **

"Flat Mountain Girls - It's some of that corn-slurping old-time craziness, this time psycho-conducted from '30s Appalachia by three clogging, harmony-singing
female maniacs."
Willamette Week



"Exploring the grayscale between the profound and the profane, Flat Mountain Girls' music thrives on the tension between the group's obsession with traditional old-time tunes and the modern twist they instinctively apply to these compositions. Their repertoire and instrumental lineup may be strictly traditional, but the attitude with which they play is decidedly post-everything. You could accurately describe them as "old-time for modern times," even as the groups setlist brims with songs credited to Carters, Louvins and Trad."
Cory Dubrowa NO DEPRESSION MAGAZINE Sept/Oct 2007

"Edgy twang to gutsy blues, with full and lush harmonies. Songs range from Carter Family to sassy lues, with just the right sprinkling of traditional breakdowns. These gals have the knack for making each song their own, stamping it with exuberance and their unique vocal sound and arrangement. They're not afraid to push the boundaries of old-time with wailers like Robert Johnson's "All My Love in Vain" and Sarah Hawker's award winning "Forgiveness". It's all in a lighthearted yet sardonic, good time vein. "
Toni Williams OLD TIME HERALD October 2007


The Flat Mountain Girls are a high-energy old-time string band based in Portland, Oregon, known for tight, raw three-part harmonies, powerful fiddling, and performances that explode with irrepressible glee and bawdy humor. Their repertoire includes arrangements of Carter Family classics, traditional songs from the Southern mountains, cowboy yodels, romping fiddle tunes, and the occasional original, combining tremendous enthusiasm with great respect for the old-time tradition. With Lisa Marsicek playing fiddle, Rachel Gold on banjo, Nann Alleman on guitar and Laura Quigley, the newest Flat Mountain Girl, on bass, the Flat Mountain Girls bring foot-stomping fun to every performance.


"A moment at last winter's RiverCity Bluegrass Festival truly captured Portland's Flat Mountain Girls. This bunch of bawdy string twisters wrapped themselves around one microphone and sang a raggedy-but-powerful chorus full of attitude:

You want forgiveness?/Tell it to Jesus/It's his job, not mine.

The song, "Forgiveness," is found on the Flat Mountain Girls' new CD, "Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds," their third, and a fine capture of their take on old-time music.

Band founders Rachel Gold (vocals/banjo) and Lisa Marsicek (vocals/fiddle) have added the delightfully buoyant vocals and guitar of Nann Alleman and Misty River bassist Laura Quigley. All are featured admirably on this recording. The 15 tunes fairly leap from stereo speakers with urgency and punch.

Long known for their tight-as-a-whiskey-bottle-cork harmonizing, the members also are sparkling instrumentalists. They move effortlessly from Appalachian to Carter Family tunes, with side trips to Texas for swing and blues, rousing Southern fiddle tunes, even a gripping ballad.

Highlights on "Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds" include a rough-and-tumble "Sleepy Eyed John," featuring Alleman's lighthearted chirp and Marsicek's rambling fiddle; the minor-key lament "My Epitaph" highlighting Gold's alto vocals and Quigley's rumbling bowed doghouse bass; the bluesy and shuffling "All My Love in Vain," with its three-part harmony; and "Sandy Boys," boasting tight fiddling and banjo picking.
"Although there is a tendency on the part of many to associate the term old-time music almost solely with the fiddle-and-banjo music of Appalachia, the fact is that old-time music comes in many varieties that include not only string band music, but depending on what part of the country youre talking about can also venture into cowboy music, vintage "turn of the (19th) century" parlor music, "pop" music found only on Edison cylinders and much more."

The Oregonian 2007

"Based in Portland, Oregon, the Flat Mountain Girls demonstrate a fascinating and, at times, eerie talent for harkening back to many of these "side streets" of old-time music. the Girls manage to strike a frightening echo (and this is meant in an entirely approving way) of the DeZurik Sisters, also known as the Cackle Sisters, who were widely heard nationally on radio in the '30s and '40s via the WSL Dance Barn and other popular shows."

Sing Out! Vol. 50 ..3 Fall 2006

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds
    author: Ann from CT

    I am loving this one! Will take to Grey Fox Bluegrass Fest in NY this weekend to share with my friends. Last night I strummed along with the gals .... awesome!

  • Brilliant!
    author: karina

    I absolutely love this band! Flat Mountain Girls sum up everything i love about old timey music, this album is really something else!

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds. Flat Mountain Girls.
    author: J F BURMAN

    Brilliant CD, bought on impulse at CD Baby's suggestion and I love it. Traditional mountain music that you could imagine the Carter Family or Dear Woody Guthrie sitting in to join the party. Glad I didn't miss this. Res

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds
    author: William Mahlburg

    This is old time roots music and definitely puts you in that mind. There are a few rough edges compared to modern highly produced pickin' music, but the edges are so perfect in form that it makes you wonder if they were created that way on purpose. A very good time overall. Hope to see the girls sometime.

  • author: Robert L. Makoutz

    You sent the last CD I ordered to my Uncle as a gift(hope he enjoyed it). Bob

  • Great music
    author: Tim Ringwood

    My only complaint, and reason for 4 stars versus 5, is too many songs I have many versions of already. But they do all the material on this record with near top notch perfection. I hope they dig deeper for the set list on the next CD, if they do I'll order it for sure.

  • Goosebumbs
    author: Rudy Minnaert DJ The Free Country Eagle

    These cd´s are rich filled out with very good old moutain music. The instruments are working perfectly together with the vocals. This remaining me of music far before World War II. This is music with people listen too in the old days. I compare you with the carter family and The Cackle Sisters. This music gives me goosebumbs because this is the kind of country music I like. This group is making music for the pleasure of who´m will listen to it. This kind of music, is music for a winter evening sitting in a rocking chair by an open fire. It lett you floated away in a dream to the days when everybody was happy and not so gready like today. For the future stay with this kind of music and you will be happy and you will be enriched of regards of your fans

  • Off the Top Rope!
    author: Red Eye Junction

    Great stuff! Scientific!

  • Sorry your mountain's gone flat
    author: Len Edmonds, Devon, England

    Guaranteed to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Beautiful music, beautifully played by beautiful ladies, what more could a fella ask?

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds
    author: Wendy Hause

    Outstanding! You go girls! Love your music!

  • Lisa,Laura,Rachel,Nann, THANK YOU
    author: Mr LOVAINE DONALDSON

    A big thank you from England for transporting me to a porch in the USA where I'm just laying back and enjoying the best cd of 2007. BRILLIANT.

  • author: Ray Devey

    just brillant

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds
    author: Robert Baldwin

    Greatest Cd, I've just about worn a hole through it, playing it so much. They have that great old time sound, and the songs you won't hear anywhere else. I highly recommend this albulm.

  • I couln't wait to own this CD
    author: Joan Norton www.MaryMagdaleneWithin.com

    I heard Little Black Train on the radio and just couldn't wait to get the CD and hear the rest of it. It's wonderful and strong, I love it !

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deed
    author: David Shook

    One of the best I've heard in a long time. They have that, rural Carolina, 1920's-30's frontporch sound. I would buy it..

  • Idle Talk & Wicked Deed
    author: Sherrie A. McBeath

    These gurls really kick it! I got the CD from a friend so I of course had to keep the Tradition going and I bought one and sent it to a friend for His B-Day....He said he alread heard of the Flat Mountain Gurls.....that's cuz all the good music comes from Oregon right? LOL (Please come to SoCal soon!)

  • Great stuff!
    author: rob humphreys

    Came here to order another artist and somehow got sidetracked to this album - heard a few samples and ordered it and was not disappointed. Highly recommended.

  • Idle Talk and Wicked Deeds
    author: Joanne

    I love your CD and just ordered Honey Take Your Whiskers Off yesterday!! If you ever want to come to Guelph Ontario(CAN) to play we would just love it!!

  • Yeehaw!
    author: Blues Bob

    I came here to buy another copy of The Whoreshoes "Get Lucky", another all-female country band. I got sidetracked listening to this album. Great stuff! Bought myself a copy and listen to to it often. Hope the ladies go on the road sometime and come down my way. (SoCal)

  • old time music with a fresh sound a must for carter family fans
    author: norm Tandberg

    an engaging and exciting follow up to their last release. always hard to catch that rush of a live performance, but this disc does it very well. don't just buy the disc go out and see them live. it will be a night to remember. great selection of songs here with lots of variety.

  • great sounds
    author: Almar Veen

    An awfully good CD! Not like any other Bluegrass/traditional bands I've heard so far. The Flat Mountain Girls really have there own unique sound, which, by my opinion, comes out great on there new CD!

  • Great CD
    author: Gloria

    Those girls have "done it again" - they just get better with each recording. Looking forward to the next one.

  • closer to the mill
    author: Max and Keavy

    This album gets us a little closer to the mill. Thanks for the beautifully raw tracks.

  • Eagerly waiting for the fourth one
    author: Patrick

    Can they keep getter better

  • The Flat Mountain Girls Rocked Alaska
    author: James Cole

    Saw the girls at the Salmon Bake for 2 nights and got the CD. They were amazing. Watched the banjo player throw a huge tantrum in the parking lot...far out!! Seriously though, these girls rocked the Alaska stage right off the charts. I got both CD's and this one is perfection. Right on!!

  • Great Album. Keep up the good work.
    author: Dick Martin

    Read a short article in the Oregonian about you and decided to order two CD's. Found your website and you responded right away advising where I could purchase. Glad I did. Enjoy your Music. Hope to get into town someday to see you play. Meanwhile enjoy your tour.

  • Great! Gets my old bones movin'.
    author: Marianne

    Gut wrenchin', soul touchin', rib ticklin' fun. When's your next one out, I can't wait.

  • Very Good CD
    author: Michael

    I love The Flat Mountain Girls! They rock! This is a very good CD. I do like it. However, their second CD "honey take your whiskers off" is absolutely awesome! It is a brilliant piece of work! Not a weak song in the bunch! If you are new to TFMG, you need to hear them! I would strongly recommend that you begin with their sophmore effort "honey take your whiskers off". You will instantly fall in love with them! It gets 100 Stars! Keep it up ladies, you are the best!

  • Wicked good!
    author: Gerald M

    This is the best CD yet! Can't wait to see them live again.

  • author: Tamara at CD Baby

    Now lined up for not only thw 2007 Pickathon but also the 2007 Northwest String Summit, the Flat Mountain Girls deliver mouth-watering, sweet and sour old time twang. Drawing from Carter Family classics, traditional songs from the Southern mountains, cowboy yodels, sawing fiddle tunes, and originals, these gals nail that perfect combination of warmth and ache; edgy, old time jangle and a daring, eye-opening modern approach. With relentless, raw musicianship and an undeniable sweetness complementing the bitter, bluesy, and punchy aspects, Idle Talk & Wicked Deeds captures the stunning show theses ladies never fail to give.

  • Hooray! At Last!! This CD is my new favorite!!
    author: Celia

    I have been waiting for this one ladies, and I love it. The songs are great, foot stomping fun and lively and sometimes dark! It is on the top of my playlist!

email

Please log in to email this artist.