Selma Chalk

Jeff and Vida’s nine years or performing and songwriting, have seen them delve into many different genres of music; country, honky-tonk, rockabilly, even a little rock and roll. But throughout their career, which has included four critically acclaimed albums, literally thousands of live shows in the U.S. and Europe, and a move from New Orleans to Nashville, bluegrass has remained a key influence in their style and sound. Nowhere is this more evident than on the duo’s new cd, Selma Chalk. Selma Chalk features thirteen original songs, a stellar band, and an enigmatic name. A quick look inside the cd jacket defines Selma Chalk as “An impurity in the most fertile soil of the south”. Intentional or not, the title seems an apt metaphor for the music contained within. An outsiders take on fertile traditions of southern and appalachian string band music. Indeed, a number of tracks do fit neatly into what might be called a “traditional bluegrass sound”, but much of the material ventures into unknown waters, bringing traditional instrumentation to bear on original compositions that are anything but. And while past projects have showcased the duo’s ability to move between genres with ease, incorporating a variety of instrumentations and sounds, their latest effort finds them more sonically centered. Along with this impressive group of musicians, Jeff and Vida create a sound that combines the raw intensity and high lonesomeness of bluegrass with a diverse palette of influences; distinguishing itself from so much of contemporary string band music with edgy songwriting, high energy arrangements, and gritty vocals. Songs like Heartache Train, the quick, hard-edged romp which leads off the record, capture the listener immediately. The band showcases its chops on catchy instrumental hooks and scorching solos while Vida’s unmistakeable, whiskey soaked vocals meld with Jeff’s bittersweet harmonies to deliver the lyrics with equal intensity. As the record progresses, the music continues to impress with soaring fiddle lines, intricate banjo and mandolin parts, hard driving acoustic guitar, and the unexpected but welcome twang of an arch top guitar throughout. And while Jeff and Vida certainly seem to have found the right mix of sounds and players for this record, the superb songwriting for which the duo has come to be recognized over the years, once again stands out. Each track seems to invite the listener into a different world. While the exuberent “Boxcar Blues”, dwells on the unique thrill of traveling home; the poignant and melancholy Alabama Sky, relates almost exactly the opposite sentiment with equal prowess. Early previews of Selma Chalk have generated quite a buzz with critics and industry alike, and garnered them some impressive tour dates already, including a main stage set at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the first show in two years by an American act at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysian Borneo. The Jeff and Vida Band will be touring extensively throughout 2009 and 2010 In support of their new release, bringing a live show that matches the record in excitement and intensity to stages throughout the country.