PRESS QUOTES:
“Sexy roots swagger with populist fire.”
–The Boston Globe
“… a rich, powerful sound that carries the frenetic energy of a tent revival.”
–Yankee Magazine
“See them in concert they’re gonna move you; I know they’re gonna move you.”
–NHPR
“You can tell right away that this music comes from the very fiber of their souls and it is absolutely spellbinding to listen to.”
–Rock and Roll Report
“They were amazing… Bluesy rock at its best. Reminded me of Led Zepplin, which is a blessed and enlightening feeling I’ve never experienced before.”
–The Deli Magazine
“Immaculately crafted, rock-tinged blues-folk.”
–Seven Days
“Making Sweet Music!”
–Burlington Free Press
“It’s Bob Dylan’s early electric days mixed with gritty vocals and soaked in slick guitar.”
–Weekly Dig
“This record is infused with rock, soul, and blues. It’s more electric, but doesn’t let go of that rootsy twang that is signature in Avi & Celia’s previous work. Celia’s voice is even stronger…she’s reminding me of Susan Tedeschi, Grace Potter, or at times, Bonnie Raitt on this album.”
–pH Balanced
“Avi Salloway is one of the most gifted and smooth guitarists in the Northeast and he lets it all hang out on this recording, really driving the music and pumping limitless quantities of energy into the tunes present on this album.”
–Seacoast Online
“Fantastic bluesy vocals from Woodsmith. For those who are unfamiliar with the young prodigy, she smacks of old jazz singers, blue smoke-filled bars, and importantly, displays impressive range and technique”
–Matt Keefer, Newport Mercury
“Salloway proves a vicious axe man, his intensity matched only by Woodsmith’s bruising vocals.
–Seven Days
“Their second album features “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” and a variety of other tracks, some feel-good and some that take on more serious issues like war and capitalism. You can find this idealism in every song, which is rare in the modern folk arena, and that is the main reason that Let it Rise has the potential to make their dreams a reality.
–WERS
“Woodsmith manages to summon the weary wisdom and acquiescence of a woman much older than her own 22 years, while also possessing a wide-eyed drifter sort of sincerity. Salloway’s deep, smooth vocals compliment Woods’ perfectly, possessing all the rugged richness of an appropriate male counterpart. The instruments mirror their sound obediently, each guitar solo exhibiting the same ability to be warm, mischievous and full of spirit.”
–Performer Magazine
Most memorable of the evening was Celia Woodsmith’s energetic strumming of the washboard. Of course anybody who’s ever seen her play would instantly disagree with the word strumming. Whipping would probably be more appropriate, since she practically beat herself during a couple of the songs. It makes you wonder how just how thick a washboard could be. And while I do remember her announcing to the crowd that she was bleeding, I do not remember if it was the washboard or several guitars she went through to blame. You’ll find no complaints from me as she definitely put it all into the music. While less bloody, Avi Salloway’s multi-instrument talent smoothed out the roughness of the sound and provided the soul of the sound, both literally and figuratively.
–Melophobe
ARTICLES:
Weekly Dig
June 2, 2010
Seacoast Online
May 20, 2010
WERS Paradise Rock Club Concert Review
March 17, 2010
Tea Party Boston
March 2, 2010
State of Mind
February 1, 2010
The Boston Globe
December 11, 2009
Seven Days
December 2, 2009
The Burlington Free Press
October 29, 2009
Yankee Magazine
July/August 2009
Performer Magazine
November 2008
Melophobe
October 3, 2008
Songs Illinois
September 26, 2008