Has anyone heard of the Woodys??

Subject: Has anyone heard of the Woodys??
From: longhair
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:16 PM

I been hearing this group on the dish network music channel. The singer kinda sounds like Arlo Guthrie. The song is Circle of Angels. It's a good song. I was just wondering if anybody had heard of this group!! Thanks

Subject: RE: Has anyone heard of the Woodys??
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 06:04 PM

I recall reading a very favourable review in 'fRoots' of their first album. I found the following short reviews on the CDNOW site. The first is from 'Dirty Linen' and the second from 'Sing Out'.

Dirty Linen

The Woodys [Rounder CD 3149 (1998)] The country singing duo of Michael and Dyann Woody have released an album of light country that occasionally echoes Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle (though it is hard to imagine either of those two singing the incredibly sappy "Circle of Angles," which clearly sounds as if it were written to cash in on that silly angel craze). Most of the songs were co-written by Michael and sundry Nashville songwriters, including Earle and Chris Hillman. The record is well-produced by Brian Ahern, whose ex, Emmylou Harris, also sings background on one song. A good record, if not quite up to the standards of their models, that suggests many good things from this couple in the future. --Char R. Leslie-Miller

Sing Out

This self-titled debut from husband and wife duo Michael and Dyann Woody topped the Americana charts shortly after its release earlier this year -- and justifiably so. Produced by country veteran Brian Ahern, this album proves that less is more in a big way. In The Woody's world, the songs take center stage with the couple's intertwining harmonies up-front and clear. And the songs are very good indeed. Mostly co-written by Michael Woody with the likes of Steve Earle, Chris Hillman and David Lee Murphy, diversity abounds, from the quirky hillbilly-tinged "Mama and Them" to the comforting "Circle of Angels." Helping the couple debut in style are guests Albert Lee, Al Perkins and Emmylou Harris. Robert K. Oermann provides detailed and entertaining liner notes, something I'd love to see more of on new releases.

Subject: RE: Has anyone heard of the Woodys??
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 06:26 PM

My apologies, the second review above is from country.com. Here is the one from Sing Out:

Michael Woody is a Nashville-based songwriter who collaborates with the likes of Chris Hillman, Fred Koller and Steve Earle, and whose songs have been covered by a long list of mainstream country artists. The Woodys brings together Michael Woody on lead vocals, guitar, harmonica and mandolin, with his wife Dyann on harmony vocals and acoustic guitar, and strong, often Everly Brothers-styled versions of nine of Woody's finest songs and three well-chosen covers from other writers.

There are some good story songs on this collection, including "Alabama 'Shine," about a moonshiner outrunning the law in the Deep South, "The Rain Came Down," on which the narrator invokes his pioneering grandfather as he defiantly refuses to leave a failed farm, and "Bobby And Juanita," a love-hate ballad that you just know isn't going to end up with a happy ending.

The Woodys' cover material includes Gretchen Peters' "High Lonesome," with additional harmonies from Emmylou Harris, and Buddy and Julie Miller's "I Don't Mean Maybe," a Cajun-flavored honky-tonk love song fuelled by Glen Duncan's fiddling, Al Perkins' pedal steel and Albert Lee's electric guitar. The album closes with a beautiful version of Boudeleaux Bryant's "Like Strangers," an old hit by the Everly Brothers.

The Woodys both receive equal billing on this album, but it really revolves around Michael's songwriting and lead vocals. And while I really do enjoy this work, I kind of hope we'll hear more of Dyann on the next go-round.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Has anyone heard of the Woodys??
From: longhair
Date: 16 Dec 99 - 08:42 AM

Thanks Stewie, the info is much appreciated. The Circle of Angels, is the only song I've heard, though I didn't think it was sappy. Oh well... Thanks again.. longhair

Subject: RE: Has anyone heard of the Woodys??
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 16 Dec 99 - 01:03 PM

I guess I don't have to dig out the one from Sing Out!

Mike Regenstreif