Laura Cortese is an American singer/ songwriter and this is her 6th official release. The ten songs included here are haunting and beautiful, delivered by a group of musicians that play an eclectic mix of instruments, including fiddles, cellos clarinets and viola.
There is a plaintive quality to the tunes and the sparse arrangements add atmosphere and depth to the subject matter, that cover such topics as gang rape and murder (For Catherine), infidelity (Brown Wrinkled Dress), servile hopelessness (Village Green) plus a wonderful take on the John Beaton poem I Am the House; “ I am the house that holds you still, the place you first made love”. There is also a fine cover of Laura Veirs, Life is Good Blues.
With a sound that has roots in folk music and also visits the giddy stomp of Cajun swing and Appalachian yearning, the rich vocal harmonies add to Cortese's poignant and powerful singing. She has also included appearances with Band of Horses at Carnegie Hall, Pete Seeger at Newport Folk Festival, and Patterson Hood and Michael Franti for Seeger's ninetieth birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden. She performs frequently with Jocie Adams, formerly of The Low Anthem and can be heard with Adams's new band, Arc Iris. Cortese also performs frequently with Rose Cousins, and plays on her 2012 release "We have made a Spark"
This release is a real contender and deserves a wide audience.