Listen to Martha Scanlan's debut album of former member of the celebrated Reeltime Travelers, prominent contributor to the Cold Mountain soundtrack.

Her debut, The West Was Burning, combines music that rises from way back in the American soul with lyrics that have her “riding on a troublesome vine” (“Set Me Up High”); hovering past last call and mourning how “Saturdays are used-to-be’s, like old Christmas trees when Christmas has come and gone” (“I Don’t Even Have to Ask”); turning the simple act of taking a walk into a moment of romance, singing “turn the corner, it’s as quiet as a stone/Just our footsteps on the frozen snow” (“Walkin’”).
All of this she delivers in a voice that’s as beautiful and enigmatic as her poetry. She can be teasing, witty, fragile, and wise, all in the space of a verse and chorus. Martha’s singing eases into the embrace of two living legends in roots music, Levon Helm (of The Band) and her producer- Appalachian/Cajun virtuoso Dirk Powell. Adding to the warm, intimate sound are friends Amy Helm and Glen Patscha from Ollabelle.
11 Tracks
NRCD