Album Reviews

Evie Ladin Band – Evie Ladin Band (Evil Diane)

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Ladin is an exuberant musician / songwriter / singer / dancer / educator / square dance-caller who began clogging at age 5 and playing banjo at 8. After a Brown University BA studying dance, choreography and anthropology, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to study music and dance in Eastern Nigeria. Now headquartered in Oakland, CA, she is also a member of the all-female Stairwell Sisters and teams with husband Keith Terry, a renowned body musician, who produces multi-cultural rhythm-based music and dance educational projects. She has performed at Lincoln Center and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass as well as many points between, including A Prairie Home Companion.

Here, the band consists of Terry on bass, percussion and vocals, Dina Maccabee on violin and vocals, Erik Pearson on guitar, banjo and vocals, and Ladiin on lead vocal, guitar and banjo. The standard, “The First Time” is given a rare up-tempo treatment that actually works well. Traditional music is saluted with the Carter Family’s “Shadow Of The Pines” while Maccabee is featured on the instrumental “Sleepy Eyed Joe.” The album’s 13 tracks include five written by Ladin including “He’s Not Alone” that could just as easily fit on a Kristofferson or Norah Jones album. The album’s first track, “Got You On My Mind,” is an excellent example of the group’s harmony and unique rhythmic emphasis. Another success for Evie!

– Scott Peavler

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