‘The Grahams and Friends (Live in Studio)’ is a combined collection of songs from ‘Rattle the Hocks’ (the soundtrack from the film), and the deluxe edition of their 2015 album ‘Glory Bound’, none of which have previously been released in the UK or Ireland.
Their friends include Cody & Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Sara & Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Watkins Family), John C. Stubblefield & Rick Steff (Lucero), Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids), John Fullbright, Davíd Garza, Alvin Youngblood Hart and many more.
The original ‘Glory Bound’ album, produced by Wes Sharon and largely co-written with childhood friend Bryan McCann, was inspired by the Grahams’ rail-riding expedition into the heart of American roots music. At the time, Doug Graham explained, “The dream is to play with as many great people as we can, and share the music as much as we can.” They certainly achieve the first goal with these songs, which feature some of the finest talents in folk/Americana.
“It was pretty much a free-for-all in the studio for five days,” Alyssa says. “People were popping in hourly and picking up all kinds of instruments.” They’re not even sure exactly who did what in some cases, but there’s no mistaking the voices of John Fullbright, Sara and Sean Watkins, the Milk Carton Kids, Susannah Choffel and Garza, who trade leads and harmonies as featured artists.
‘Rattle the Hocks’, directed and produced by Cody Dickinson (son of late auteur, legendary James Dickinson and founding member of the North Mississippi Allstars) is a musical documentary that captures The Grahams relentless journey to explore the relationship between railroads and American roots music-though what’s inadvertently captured is a husband and wife obtaining their American dream.
“There is a special connection between American folk music and the railroad that has no parallel elsewhere in the world. Rail lines stitch together the sprawling fabric of American song. As writers of Americana music, our goal is to draw on the deep, recurring sources of American folk culture, giving them new shape.” The Grahams
About The Grahams
Alyssa and Doug Graham have spent nearly their entire lives exploring music together. Friends since she was 7 and he was 9, they became a couple in their teens, then husband and wife. Somewhere along the way, they also became The Grahams, a dynamic Americana duo who’ve married their love of adventure with a desire to build on foundations laid by their musical predecessors. Their first song-crafting expedition, along the Mississippi’s Great River Road, became their 2013 debut, Riverman’s Daughter. For its follow-up, Glory Bound, they rode the rails – and wound up recording not only a studio album, but Rattle The Hocks, a documentary and live album recorded on the move and in venues from Sun Studio to Amtrak’s famed City of New Orleans train.
Website: www.thegrahamsmusic.net
Facebbok: www.facebook.com/TheGrahamsMusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheGrahamsMusic
Film website: www.rattlethehocks.com
The Grahams · February-March 2017 UK Tour
with screening of their award-winning documentary short Rattle The Hocks and Q&A
FEBRUARY
Wed 22 Sheffield The Greystones
Thu 23 Shrewsbury Henry Tudor House
Fri 24 Bury The Met, Studio Theatre
Sat 25 Liverpool Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Music Room
Sun 26 Gateshead Sage Gateshead, Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Tue 28 Settle Victoria Hall
MARCH
Wed 1 Newbury Arlington Arts Centre
Thu 2 Fareham Ashcroft Arts Centre
Fri 3 Salisbury Salisbury Arts Centre
Sat 4 Leeds Seven Arts Centre
Sun 5 Bristol The Lantern
Tue 7 Shoreham Ropetackle Arts Centre
Wed 8 South Woodchester, nr. Stroud The Convent
Thu 9 London Kings Place, Hall Two
Praise for The Grahams
“Americana doesn’t come much better.” Acoustic magazine
“The Grahams are never far away from waving the banner of the road though they change the mood of their songs like the scenery flying by outside a southbound boxcar.” Alternate Root
“Doug’s mastery of the resonator guitar is matched by Alyssa’s spectacularly dexterous vocal chords ensuring their blend is beautifully matched to the breadth and scope of their music” American Roots UK
“This is mighty fine modern cowboy, ride those rails music, strong on evocative lyricism and driving, piston-pushing instrumental ability.” Cashbox magazine
“The Grahams guarantee a good time that captures the rhythms of the past with some cracking vocals and a healthy head of contemporary steam.” Get Ready To Rock!
