ZOE SPEAKS: Birds Fly South

Zoe Speaks

Birds Fly South

© 2002 Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover (783707648026)

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On "Birds Fly South" these two native Kentuckians pay homage to their Appalachian roots with their contemporary mountain songs and an original spin on traditional tunes.

tracks

1 I Believe
2 Barbry Ellen
3 Birds Fly South
4 Viola
5 Just A Rose Will Do
6 One Small Bird
7 Cadillac Queen
8 Shady Grove
9 Retterdyne
10 Pretty Little Darlin'
11 Power Windows
12 Family Reunion

notes

Kentucky singer-songwriters Mitch Barrett and Carla Gover comprise this duo.
Of their music, Acoustic Guitar magazine says "Their spare arrangements and unwavering harmonies evoke Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (and generations of singers before them)."

Birds Fly South, produced by Grammy-nominated instrumentalist Bruce Molsky, features the artists themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, and lap dulcimer, along with mandolinist Mike Compton (Nashville Bluegrass Band/Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack), guitarist Greg Martin(The Kentucky Headhunters), and others.

On this CD you'll find lively originals about truck-stop waitresses, adoption, and a mountain boy's search for spirituality, a revisiting of the traditional "Shady Grove" from the perspective of a mixed-race couple, introspective and soulful versions of classic traditional ballads, and some mountain-steeped covers of fiddle tunes and gospel songs from the artists' childhoods.

Mitch and Carla have performed with Mark Schatz, Si Kahn, David Grier, Tony Furtado, and Dirk Powell. They have opened for notables like: Arlo Guthrie, John Prine, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, and Dar Williams.

Zoe Speaks' mission is to preserve the best elements of Appalachian music, while adding to the tradition and allowing it to change and grow.

reviews

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  • Birds Fly South
    author: James Sandlin

    I like the whole CD, I particularly like "I Believe, Just a Rose Will Do, Shady Grove and Power Windows." The only thing that I wish is that Power Windows was longer - I like the message. I look forward to watching you perform again Mitch, this time I want to bring my wife along.

  • Birds Fly South
    author: Jack Hurt

    Carla, I loved the CD and think you are sexy as well as talented. Good job by Mitch. The old ballads of Barbry Ellen and Shady Grove bring back old memories of the hills of Eastern, Ky. Listened to you on WDVX.Com some time back. Great show. Looking forward to your new CD.Recommend the CD to anyone.

  • author: Stacey Farris

    After reviewing your music on this website I am blown away. Some of the very lyrics I hear, I remember my own father speaking these words to me as a child. My father was a free spirit, unleashed through music of the 60's and 70's. He was never captive by material things, only intrigued by mountains and the wild west. I am so glad someone is producing music that is true to our heritage. I am an heiress to the wild country my father once twisted through himself and your music really makes it come alive again. It was a pleasure to hear your music and meet you and your beautiful family in person. Thank-you. Stacey :)

  • Awesome CD! So is "Pearl". These 2 are the real deal, a true Kentucky treasure
    author: Bryan Cooper

    This 2nd effort by Mitch and Carla continues in the same excellent tradition of "Pearl". Having discovered these talented performers at the master musician's festival in Somerset, KY, It was a pleasure to learn that they are also local KY neighbors. Stumbled across "Birds FLy South" by accident on a google search and was not disappointed. I would recommend anyone who appreciates honest, heartfelt, genuine music from 2 extremley talented artists buy anything they release without hesitation. No over-produced garbage here, just music and musicians as real as it gets. It was also a pleasure to hear Greg Martin doing acoustic lead work on this disc...another KY boy! Mitch and Carla..Keep it coming!

  • Awesome CD! So is "Pearl". These 2 are the real deal, a true Kentucky treasure
    author: Bryan Cooper

    This 2nd effort by Mitch and Carla continues in the same excellent tradition of "Pearl". Having discovered these talented performers at the master musician's festival in Somerset, KY, It was a pleasure to learn that they are also local KY neighbors. Stumbled across "Birds FLy South" by accident on a google search and was not disappointed. I would recommend anyone who appreciates honest, heartfelt, genuine music from 2 extremley talented artists buy anything they release without hesitation. No over-produced garbage here, just music and musicians as real as it gets. It was also a pleasure to hear Greg Martin doing acoustic lead work on this disc...another KY boy! Mitch and Carla..Keep it coming!

  • Great follow-up to Pearl
    author: Cheryl Gentry

    Loved Zoe Speaks since I heard Carla at the Berea Arts & Crafts festival in 2000 & Mitch and Carla in Whitesburg and in Louisville. Can't get enough of my Appalachian heritage sounds live or on CD. I'm waiting for more.

  • Family Favorite
    author: Beth

    The entire family loves listening to this upbeat album. You haven't enjoyed Cadilac Queen until you have heard it with a 5 year old singing along! She says matter of factly, "Everybody has to have a good book to read!" I'm sure folks in other cars turn their heads when all seven of us are belting out "Birds Fly South" but we're too into our own little Zoe Speaks world to notice. And it sure does help me get everybody moving on housecleaning faster, they hardly notice their working with Viola strutting across the floor with them!!!!!

  • Outstanding! Take me home to the mountains again!
    author: Enoch Smallwood

    Never heard any better music from someone that use to watch me play pool with her brother in her basement when she was a little girl. The music, the sound, the heart, the feeling of these two CD's brings the mountains alive within my dreams of home! I hope Carla and Mitch makes it to Northwest Florida. After all the hurricanes, I need less of Jimmy Buffet and more of Zoe Speaks!

  • "True to form" appalacian folk ,yet, very innovative and excitng.
    author: doug(again)

    An excellent appalacian folk album.The old traditional songs are a nice addition to this collection and are excellently performed.(Shady Grove must've been a "little hottie" because she shows up on a lot of folk albums).I hope this band tours and comes to the Grand Rapids,Mich. area( on any other week day than a Sunday)because i'm pretty sure they are a good live folk band.

  • Great !! Nice collection of songs.
    author: doug

    My buddy and i "sampled" some of this album the other night. We liked what we heard.

  • very good
    author: Dave Boudreau

    Birds Fly south was a very good CD. I really enjoyed the variety of songs and stories they tell. I can relate to my youth with some of the experiences.

  • A great passionate album, great voice &instrumental mix
    author: Judy Metcalf

    I first heard cadillac queen and just had to have that song! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked the whole album. Thank you for producing such great music!

  • birds fly south a great CD
    author: lori

    great harmony and pure soulful sound, pulls at the heart strings.

  • Makes me want to be country and live in the hills.
    author: Ally Whitley

    It's a great CD. really laid back. It makes me want to be country and live in the hills. Brings me back to my roots.

  • Another great CD !!
    author: Suzy

    If you love honest, traditional folk music, this CD is a must-have. Their songs are beautifully written and the singing is amazing!!

  • Well worth waiting for this CD!
    author: Char

    I enjoyed the Pearl CD immensely and just had to have more from Zoe Speaks! An awesome duo! This CD was NO disappointment...a wonderful mix of traditional and original music!

  • Great CD
    author: Ruby Means

    Love the music. Great CD. Have followed careers since first hearing them play at Berea Crafts Fair in KY. Keep up the good music!

  • A smooth blend of traditional and neo-bluegrass...
    author: Don Hedges

    Saw them in Kentucky over Thanksgiving and just had to bring their smooth blend of traditional and contemporary Bluegrass back to my friends and family in Minnesota! My daughter loves "Birds Fly South" and for me "Shady Grove" tugs at the heartstrings...The whole CD brings back deep and fond memories of my childhood in Appalachia.

  • A smooth ride to Appalachia
    author: Woodtwig

    Sweet Sweet sounding tunes with just the right amount of obviously deep Appalachian roots. Took me back to a simpler time and place in American life. My toes still have not stopped tapping since I heard the song Viola. Great album!!!

  • Another great CD from Zoe Speaks
    author: Dana Johnson

    Birds Fly South is a great collection of songs by Zoe Speaks. The CD reflects the broad range of these artists / storytellers. Both the lyrics and music are very moving. One of my favorites.

  • I saw you live and you guys are awesome!
    author: none provided

    This CD was wonderful. You two seem like amazing people. I saw you at my school in Spartanburg, SC and I was so moved. Thank you so much.

  • LOVED IT! YOUR SONGS HAVE SO MUCH FEELING AND TRUTH.
    author: LISA NIEHAUS
  • Another great compilation...
    author: Charlene Peace

    Another great compilation from Mitch and Carla... they bring their culture to those who are not lucky enough to experience it firsthand. Keep up the good work, Carla and Mitch. You are preserving an art form for future generations.

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