GiRL HOWDY

CD Review:
It’s Honky Tonk Time,
Girl Howdy

Girl Howdy's core--Betsy Dawn Williams, Paula Bradley, Rose Sinclair and Emma O'Donnell--is rooted in bluegrass and old time music. After all, they've played with the likes of Lost Wages, Pioneer Valley Bluegrass, Robin and Linda Williams, Jim and Jenny & The Pinetops and Bruce Molsky. But together they create a timeless, 1940s honky tonk sound that never goes out of style.

Their EP length CD, It's Honky Tonk Time, reflects their love for the music and the fun they have crafting their art. It's recorded live and captures the energy of their performance. During each song you'll forget it's live. The recording (Chris Cantwell, July 2005), mix, and mastering (Joe Podlesney, Avocet Studios, Shelburne MA) excel and the applause is unobtrusively faded between tracks.

Special guests June Drucker's driving bass and Paul McTaggert's drums keep Howdy in the grove, whether they're swinging, rocking, or drowning in a lonesome beer. Paula 's piano rounds out the rhythm section.

Both Betsy Dawn (guitar) and Paula sing lead and take turns providing mutually supporting harmonies. As their voices waft through the swinging doors and out into the dusty street, you could almost hear the clinking of beer bottles inside.

Rose's steel and Emma's fiddle fit the music to a tee, further adding to its authenticity. These characteristics--sweet harmonies, sliding steel and sawing fiddle--define Girl Howdy's genuine jukebox sound.

With a few exceptions, males dominated the post-war Honky Tonk scene. But in the 21st Century Girl Howdy rules--good for listening and for dancing.

It's Honky Tonk Time contains just six songs, and as expected, leaves you wanting more. But, it's a bargain at just $10, available through CD Baby linked to www. girlhowdyband.com.

Put this CD in your changer with some old Hank Williams, Ray Price and Kitty Wells stuff. It's all good! Then, roll up the carpet and call your friends for a dance.

So excuse them. They'll take the blame, moanin' the knee-deep blues, rockin' and swingin' with a rollicking sound that'll sweep you off your feet.

- Jeff Anzevino, Hudson River Jamboree
- Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association Jamboree

"...smart and sweet-singing..."
Providence Journal - Providence Journal