Jill Barber & Matthew Barber - The Family Album (2016) 320kbps

Brother and sister singer-songwriters Matthew Barber and Jill Barber always knew they’d make an album together. Growing up outside Toronto in the 1990s, they shared not only a left-handed guitar (older brother Matthew got the first one) but also a passion for music that fuelled their respective artistic careers. Two different paths were carved, but never did they diverge so much that they might not meet up again. Eventually they did and The Family Album was born. Produced by Matthew and Jill themselves, The Family Album is a folk record. It’s a record that enthusiastically harkens back to sibling singers of yesteryear, but also one that is not afraid to paint from a broad palette of both traditional sounds and contemporary flourishes. There are just enough hooks and plenty of licks. The vocals are up front, the harmonies are simple, the performances are live and the exquisite band is laid-back. Mixed by Grammy-winner Michael Piersante, the record is warm and full of textures.

Personnel: Jill Barber – vocals; Matthew Barber – vocals, acoustic guitar; Julian Brown - upright bass, keyboard bass; Robbie Grunwald - piano, organ, wurlitzer, accordion; Drew Jurecka - violin, mandolin, bass clarinet; Dean Stone – drums, percussion; Joey Wright – acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, banjo.