Just Released! Hardin Burns "Down the Deep Well"

HARDIN BURNS DOWN THE DEEP WELL

Currently being played on The Americana Music Show, Americana Rock Mix, WMNF, Roots Revival Radio (NL), Radio Free Texas 

"Lyrically, these songs can’t come from anywhere except the heart, inviting the listener to experience the emotions running from inspirational happiness to soul-bearing introspection. Check out “Walking On A Wire” and I dare you not to be seriously touched by the words. Very down to earth music produced with some serious talent both in the writing and musical creative avenues."--Music Morsels
 
"There are plenty of good grooves on this album…the music is a wonderful combination of country and folk, with elements of the blues."--Michael's Music Log

For more information: http://www.hardinburns.com/
Stream: https://soundcloud.com/hardin-burns
 
AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC ARTISTS, HARDIN BURNS
TO RELEASE DOWN THE DEEP WELL
Combining Blues And Country With Visionary Modern Lyrical Ideas

 
Wimberley, TX  August 2014—Guitarist Andrew Hardin (Tom Russell, Jimmy Lafave) and vocalist Jeannie Burns (Burns Sisters, Arlo Guthrie) of the duo Hardin Burns will release their second album, Down The Deep Well in early November.  Produced by Hardin and Gabe Rhodes (Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Waylon Jennings), Down The Deep Well was also recorded by Rhodes in his studio in Spicewood, Texas.  The recording also features legendary drummer Dony Wynn (Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood) and upright bassist David Carroll.  

More stripped down and primal-sounding than its predecessor, Lounge (2012), Down The Deep Well draws inspiration from Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Country as well as singer-songwriter and pop music traditions. The album is comprised of 9 original songs and a cover of the Richard Thompson song “Walking on a Wire”.

Down The Deep Well is a rootsy and rhythmic record, and the title song kicks it off with a Memphis style groove that starts with the drums only—no bass, and refers to Jacob’s Well, a natural spring in Wimberley, TX where Hardin lives.  Jeannie Burns achieves a down-in-the-well sound with some echoic vocal improv.  “Back Porch” shadows a Mexican music style with an interesting rhythm, beautiful vocal and a great acoustic guitar solo in the Ry Cooder mode. “Blooming” is a song with a great groove that features phenomenal drumming and percussion from Wynn and lots of band interplay, while “Get Back Home” is a laconic, sparse country song and “Run” goes political and sounds off against consumer culture. The album ends on “Wave of Your Hand”, a vocal duet about the power and potential of ritual.

Although the duo resides in different sections of the country, Hardin in Texas and Burns in Ithaca, NY—  they have no problem connecting to make music. After meeting at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in 2009, the two began writing what would eventually become their self-released debut recording, Lounge in 2012. Acoustic Guitar Magazine included Lounge on its Essential Acoustic Albums list and called it “…an addictive set of earthy, hook-filled melodies, stunning harmonies, and graceful virtuosity on acoustic and electric guitars.”  

Spending half of their time songwriting and half the time touring, the duo have played all over the US and in Italy and Canada.  They performed on the City of New Orleans train with Jon Dee Graham, and participated in a tribute to rock icon Chrissy Hynde at the Barns At Wolf Trap in Washington, D.C.  

Andrew Hardin is best known for his long association with songwriter Tom Russell.  He has performed and recorded with many renowned artists and has released four solo albums of instrumental guitar music and a new retrospective entitled Lost Pines featuring noted guitarists Albert Lee and Amos Garrett.  Of his career start he said, “At the age of eight I heard the theme music from “Bridge Over the River Quai” (the whistling song with the martial drumming) and became interested in playing drums. At sixteen I took up guitar and at seventeen I was a guitarist playing nightclubs. At 23 I was in a band on a major label and at that point, there was no turning back.”  

Jeannie Burns grew up in Binghamton, New York and was the eighth of twelve children.  She was a member of her family group The Burns Sisters, that involved several various sibling configurations throughout the years. Their music was influenced by their father’s political activism and their mother’s background as a classically trained opera singer.  The group toured with Arlo Guthrie providing backup vocals and occasionally performing as his opening act.  They were signed to Rounder Records in 1995 and went on to release four albums for the label over the next several years. In 2000 Jeannie released an excellent solo album, Coming Up Close. Jeannie said, “As a child, I was inspired by listening to and watching the great performers on TV, and my older brothers had a high-school band that practiced at our house— I just wanted to do what they were doing.”  

The duo of Hardin Burns write their own songs and also have strong performance chops, and what sets them apart is that they excel with Burns’ voice and Hardin’s renowned guitar work.  “Jeannie’s vocals have a quality that only she can achieve,” said Hardin, “and we love to record songs with a good groove and lots of emotion.”