Where in Our Woods

one of my favorites of 2015 thus far.

Joseph O'Connell is a singer/songwriter from Indiana who has a deep appetitefor the folklore of his native state. These eight beautiful songs are as pure asthe driven snow. In a time when The Listening World's hunger for Americanahas spawned a host of talented solo performers and ensembles Mr O'Connellcan give himself a big pat on the back for keeping his muse clean and simple.What a lovely voice he has! A warm, expressive and effortless tenor which inhabitshis compositions like a long lost friend. Uncomplicated, dependable and true.From the gorgeous shuffling arrangement and magical melody of opening track'By The Canal'; through the spare, drone-laden progress of 'Slow Time Vultures'and magical timelessness of 'Monarch Gardeners' haunting chord sequence; tothe fragile, tentative, almost spectral, conclusion captured in final number 'RareBeliefs', Mr O'Donnell takes his time and tells his stories with gentle conviction.The album is a small masterpiece in understatement we should all welcome to our door.Highly Recommended.