Down This Road

Down This Road presents a solid array of American roots music from Gary Wright & Leah Weiss. Driving fiddle lines and tight harmony singing shape this sweet blend of originals, reinvented old-time traditional songs, and innovative covers by Townes Van Zandt, Ralph Stanley, and Merle Travis. The physical CD contains 14 tracks, starting off with Townes Van Zandt's haunting ballad, "Snow Don't Fall," whereas 13 tracks are available in digital format. Wright and Weiss are joined by musical guests Al Tharp (formerly of Beausoleil) on banjo, bass, and keyboards, and Dave Biddison (formerly of The Hix) on drums, and percussion. Tharp also engineered and co-produced the recording. "The music is strong," says the Chesapeake Music Guide of Down This Road, "the musicians and arrangements shine." For nine years, Wright was guitarist in The Hix, a Philadelphia-based electric-roots band. For nearly 15 years, Weiss performed with the Boston-based, all-female string band, The Poodles. In 2001, Wright and Wright left their sideman roles to take center stage. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, they began performing as a duo, singing traditional country duets, and soon branched out to a more alternative-country influenced sound. Their band includes drummer and vocalist Tom Fridrich (of The Remnants) and bassist Jeff Muller (of Karl Straub Combo).  They also perform with Caleb Stine, Al Tharp, Ruben "Swampcandy" Dobbs, June Drucker (formerly of the Horse Flies), and Mark Schatz (formerly of Nickel Creek).