Description
For the last seven years, The Mastersons have kept up a supremely inexorable touring schedule, performing as both the openers for Steve Earle and as members of his band, The Dukes, in addition to playing their own relentless slate of headline shows and festivals.
Before we hit the road with him in 2010, Steve said, Youd better have a record ready because Im going to feature you guys during the show, remembers fiddler/tenor guitarist/singer Eleanor Whitmore. We didnt even have a band name at the time. We were going through all these ideas and Steve suggested, Why dont you just be The Mastersons, and that was that.
Upon its release in 2012, Birds Fly South was a breakout critical hit on both sides of the pond, with Uncut awarding the album 9/10 stars and Esquire dubbing The Mastersons one of the Bands You Need To Know Right Now. Two years later, they followed it up with Good Luck Charm, premiered by the NY Times and praised by Mother Jones for its big-hearted lyrics, tight song structures, and sweetly intertwined harmonies.
With endless touring came new levels of comfort and confidence, and when it was time to record Transient Lullaby, The Mastersons knew they wanted to take a different approach than their first two releases. The band set up shop at Arlyn Studios in Austin, TX, where Chris shared production duties with longtime friend and collaborator George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard, Band of Heathens). Together, they chased a sound that was subtler and more evocative, deeper and more contemplative.
Rich with Eleanors stirring string arrangements and Chriss masterful guitar work, the songs on Transient Lullaby more than live up to the challenge.
sounds like the Jayhawks trading lines with Tift Merritt. And make no mistake: Thats a great thing ESQUIRE dazzling UNCUT (9/10 Stars)
Pretty, and powerful. FRUK (UK)
sumptuous vocals and easy flowing melodies AMERICAN SONGWRITER
The albums third standout, along with the singers, is the songs. The Mastersons co-wrote all 11 tunes, and hooks abound ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chris and Eleanor are also great songwriters and have unmatched vocal harmony. NPR MOUNTAIN STAGE
The Mastersons deliver a delightfully maverick kind of country love song ALL MUSIC
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