How about if I call them fiddles, tell you that the fiddlers are wearing denim jackets and come from Boston, Massachusetts? Working around a single microphone the trio delivers a mix of folk, bluegrass, rock and roll, and, in some of the more complex interplay, even a bit of that there chamber music. There are some great arrangements, much use of pizzicato to provide both melody and rhythm, some simply excellent tunes.
Soaring above this musicality are Ms Cortese's punchy vocals, the sound that defines the band, with Valerie Thompson (cello) and Mariel Vandersteel (fiddle) adding depth and harmony with their sweeter voices. Laura sings with dramatic effect and power, but can soften her style for the slower number. She's a pretty decent storyteller too, giving the audience a few laughs with her introductions, and we were brought into the action as a human drum machine for one song. There's a lot of connection with their audience.
For an encore that connection was made more intimate by a nice bit of showmanship. Cortese asked for the lights to be dimmed, the mike switched off, and the girls delivered a beautiful slow number complete with soaring cello solo. A lovely way to finish off yet another enjoyable evening at the House.
Have a listen to some of their music.
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