Awna Teixeira 'Where The Darkness Goes' - Self-Release

This is a singer/songwriter who, her biog tells us has had something of a mixed past,  but that music has  always been the key to her life. In 2004 she became a member of Po' Girl and this is her solo debut album. It's a joy,  with Teixeira's voice an immediate and powerful presence.

 Awna’s music crosses barriers and draws from any number of sources and inspirations. Teixeira is a multi-instrumentalist and is joined by other musicians who bring these essentially folkish songs into rich territory.

 It is the  vibrato in her voice that is the key quality that makes her the focus of the album. Her banjo playing is dominant on many of the songs and gives them rootsy grounding that can then take you to different places and differing moods.

The songs are observations of her life and times and travels. She uses the full ensemble where appropriate and elsewhere strips the sound right back. Her Po' Girl companion Allison Russell joins her on vocals on many of the songs and the end result is, from start to finish, a thoroughly captivating experience. On the liner tray she offers a short dedication for each of the songs that show a woman who has a wide empathy for her fellow humans. The Little Review is for the staff and children in a Polish orphanage. The title songs is dedicated to those friend who were there during difficult times, while others are for lost friends. All are equally honest and heartfelt which comes across in the music which has a gentle and effective strength.. With her strong and direct songs, Awna Teixeira has opened a door that takes you in disperses the darkness. 

Po' Girl 'Follow Your Bliss' Self Release

The four piece Po' Girl is fronted by Allison Russell and Awna Teixeira who are the primary songwriters here, with Benny Sidelinger and Mikey "Lightning" August completing the quartet who play a real mix of musical styles that draws on past American musical styles to deliver something that is a contemporary amalgam that usually falls under the alt-country or Americana headings. What is obvious is the strength of the voices of the two singers which work well in their own right but also blend together and with the other members also providing background vocals they are strong in that department and with the fact that all members are multi-instrumentalists and that several guests are featured they, equally, have a rich instrumental tapestry to draw from. When We Are Love has a nice bluesy undertow while Western Skies has a haunting harmonica and the slide guitar under the vocals. Maudite Guerre with its accordion and 16th century French lyrics takes you to a totally different place that is compelling. This band has an organic musical growth that has seen progress along the way to this, their fifth album. Originallu from Vancouver, Canada they recorded this album in Chicago with the band producing it along with Zach Goheen. The end result rewards replaying with much revealed on further listen and the songs open up their charms.