When bluegrass band The Greencards performed for the first time at the Walnut Valley Festival in 2005 the trio was a big hit, playing to large crowds who soaked up the smooth renderings of Weather and Water, the band’s latest album at the time.
After a few performances audiences were hooked ? leaving their lawn chairs in place instead of dashing off to one of several other WVF stages ?and staying to hear the mellow Carol Young on vocals and bass, an energetic Kym Warner on mandolin and vocals and the charming Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle and vocals.
Featured tunes included the hauntingly beautiful “The Ghost of Who We Were”, the album’s title track “Weather and Water” and a cover of Patty Griffin’s “What You Are”.
During an interview at the 2006 festival, Young, an Australian who wrote “The Ghost of Who We Were” with fellow Auzzie musician Jedd Hughes, said the heart is where the music’s at.
“You’ve got to be able to feel it,” said Young. “I think that’s 80 percent of the song ? the emotion.”
In 2006, with Weather and Water already one year old and with only a hint at a new album ? released earlier in 2007 as Viridian ? the band played their cards close to their chests and instead turned to a wider range of tunes. The band also shared the stage multiple times with various music pals, the foremost being guitarist Brian Sutton.
Young admitted pulling the band’s favorites up on stage for impromptu jam sessions before crowds who likely wanted to hear their own music might have come across as “a bit selfish.” But she also said the Walnut Valley Festival is unique in that it brings together musicians from all over the world who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to play together.
“Everyone mixes in with each other,” Young said, “especially backstage with everyone jamming together.”
No strangers to the road themselves, the musically ambitious 30-something band members travel far and wide throughout the year, dashing hither and yon to perform in Colorado one week and New York the next. Despite their unfamiliar playlist, WVF audiences at last year’s show still stayed to listen, perhaps recognizing that letting the band play it their way was a small price for the pleasure of hearing them live in Winfield.
In just one week, when the WVF launches its 36th annual music fest, audiences will once again be treated to performances by The Greencards, who will play five hour-long slots Friday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 16.
The Greencards’ latest offering, Viridian, is sure to please. Like a fine wine maturing with age, this third album is polished and even more well-orchestrated than Weather and Water. Always great on vocals, Young’s voice, slightly more weathered itself, now demonstrates even greater, yet gentle, control on tracks such as “Here You Are”, “River of Sand” and “I Don’t Want to Lose You.” Fellow Australian Warner and London native McLoughlin give listeners riveting reels in “Lonesome Side of Town” and the album’s final tune “Mucky the Duck”.
Audiences at this year’s WVF might be willing to give The Greencards plenty of reign on stage, but it’s a safe bet those familiar with Viridian will be itching to hear more. The band has also added a fourth member for this tour, guitarist Matt Wingate.
On their website, The Greencards’ music is described as “underground folk with a bluegrass influence.” Their first album is Movin’ On. All three albums can be purchased through their website. A preview of Viridian can be listened to online at http://thegreencards.com/music.html.
For more information about The Greencards, visit www.thegreencards.com. For ticket information, go to www.wvfest.com or call 620-221-3250.
