Search - THE PEASALL SISTERS :: Home to You

...and 1/2.... Real strength is embodied in the magnetism of

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 11/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 40:27 -- Tennessee's Peasall Sisters sing with a mournful, melancholy and innocent quality that captures an acoustic classic country style of yesteryear. The sisters (Sarah, Hannah and Leah) ae only 18, 15 and 12, respectively. You might recognize their voices as those of George Clooney's daughters in "O Brother, Where Art Thou." Not just a lucky break or fluke, these kids have abundant talent. Their "First Offering" album was a success, and "Home to You" is also a very enjoyable followup. All three girls have an enchanting quality in their singing, and their close harmonies throughout a songs like "Freight Train Blues" are especially noteworthy. They each sing lead and harmony vocals. Sarah plays acoustic guitar and banjo, while Leah plays fiddle. Other joining in the instrumental fun are Randy Scruggs (guitar, slide guitar), Charlie Chadwick (bass, cello), Jamie Hartford (mandolin, electric guitar), Kenny Malone (drums), Laura Cash (fiddle), Larry Perkins (guitar), Leroy Troy (banjo), Gene Chrisman (drums), and Tony Harrell (accordion, piano, harmonium). This is one well-produced album by John Carter Cash. Sarah demonstrates her aptitude for songwriting ("Home to You" and "Logtown"), and Sarah and Hannah play a major role in arranging much of the other material.



The Peasalls choose songs that embody the traditional canon or its spirit and soul. It never hurts to give bonafide respect to the familiar folk ("Fair and Tender Ladies) or the material of the Carter Family ("I Never Will Marry"). They also show an appreciation and aptitude for bluegrass (Newton Thomas' "Rushing Around"), Irish ("Carrick Fergus") and Gospel ("Angel Band," "The Old Account"). Their own compositions are more ethereal in a slower-tempo'ed, acoustic country vein ("Logtown," "Gray County Line") that can turn misty skiies into blue ones. The middle of their set on this project could've used another pick-me-up selection, but at track eight, Jim Brasher's bouncy gospel composition, "The Old Church Yard," is a welcome statement that could've easily been done by the likes of Reno and Smiley decades ago. Individually, their voices are pleasant, and the girls will only get better as lead vocalists with smooth, silky personalities of their own. Their real strength is embodied in the magnetism of their collective vocal sound, best demonstrated on the album's a cappella closer, "Where No One Stands Alone." With an ample amount of rustic purity in their music, The Peasall Sisters are being groomed for even bigger things to come. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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+1/2 -- Big step forward for young vocal trio

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 01/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Peasalls burst onto the roots music scene as the voices behind George Clooney's fictional daughters in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou?" Their 2002 CD debut combined Carter Family classics with Christian Contemporary numbers that framed their sisterly harmonies with a surprising dollop of showbiz savvy. The subsequent three years on the festival and concert circuits has refined both the harmonizing and the presentation, resulting in a CD that's a big step forward.



Three years along, the sisters have traded the schmaltzy CCM tunes for songs of faith and praise that better leverage their church harmonies. At times they are as tight as The Andrews Sisters, such as the three-part singing on "Freight Train Blues," but more often they simply raise goose bumps, such as on the a cappella "Where No One Stand Alone," the Carter classic, "I Never Will Marry," and the traditional "Fair and Tender Ladies." The latter pair's lyrics find surprising resonance with such young voices, casting them back to a time when all three of these teenage girls might already be married off.



Sarah Peasall's trio of originals, including the title track, show a growing lyrical talent that complements the songs assembled from traditional and contemporary catalogs. John Carter Cash's production is spot-on, with rich acoustic picking from Randy Scruggs augmented by mandolin, fiddle, stand-up bass and only the lightest touches of drums. While their debut sparkled, their sophomore effort is a revelation. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]"

The Peasall Sisters

Jennifer Grassman | Houston, TX USA | 01/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered these young ladies through the movie O Brother Where Art Thou? and was immediately charmed by their youth, talent, and angelic voices. This CD is full of beautiful songs full of love that (whether you're a big bluegrass fan or not) you will develope a nostalgia for. Their harmonies are lovely, their voices are sweet, and their words are meaningful. Not to mention, they are all accomplished musicians!"