Along The Way

Based in Santa Cruz, this is Allen’s first solo release, although she’s been playing for years. It used to be all blues she played, but now it’s rootsy music: folk, country, a bit of bluegrass and a touch of blues. Most songs are hers (except where noted). Her voice is simply beautiful, pure and magnetic. Instrumentation of guitar, bass, percussion, fiddle, mandolin, etc. No FCC’s.

*My Favorites*: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12.

1. *(2:51) Mid. Easy-going, bluesy with great guitar interludes, really nice vocal.
2. (3:22) Slow / Mid. Kate Wolf song. Mellow, sparse, understated slide guitar.
3. *(3:18) Mid. Song by Eddie and Billy Joe Shaver. Bluegrassy with soft drums, mandolin, harmonizing. Nice.
4. *(3:17) Mid. Upbeat, driving beat, fiddle, lap steel, harmonizing.
5. *(4:12) Slow. Townes Van Zandt song. Sparse with beautiful guitar and male vocal accompanying. Quite heartfelt.
6. (3:04) Slow / Mid. Mellow guitar, very soft and beautiful vocal.
7. *(2:37) Fast. Upbeat country blues, channeling a bit of the guitar and beat of Johnny Cash’s version of ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’. Killer.
8. (4:31) Mid. Soft, easy-going, with an eastern flair.
9. *(3:40) Slow / Mid. Great cello, mandolin, percussion. Dreamy and ethereal. Beautiful.
10. *(3:48) Mid. Bright percussion over a bit less-than-bright fiddle. Upbeat despite the lyrics.
11. (2:45) Slow / Mid. Features a nice, if a bit understated, harp.
12. *(3:02) Mid. Upbeat, with tambourine, vocals set back a bit, big chorus of voices, percussion, guitar, bass. Very cool.