THE STRAY BIRDS

THE STRAY BIRDS

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This Pennsylvania trio is a wonderful combination of musicianship and songwriting that fits well into any bluegrass, folk, or Americana setting. The band is Maya de Vitry (guitar, fiddle, banjo), Oliver Craven (guitar, resonator guitar, electric guitar, fiddle), and Charles Muench (bass, banjo), and all three share in the vocals. The songwriting is from both de Vitry and Craven with an old-time style, sounding old yet refreshingly new. Songs by de Vitry include “Dream In Blue,” “Railroad Man,” “Harlem,” and “Wind And Rain.” Craven contributions include “25 To Life,” “Heavy Hands,” the jazzy “No Part Of Nothin’,” and “My Brother’s Hill.” There is a really nice twin fiddle medley from de Vitry and Craven titled “Give That Wildman A Knife”/“Bellows Falls”/“Waitin’ On A Hannah.” Muench plays banjo on “My Brother’s Hill” while the electric guitar on “Wildflower Honey” is played by Craven. The vocals are good, the harmonies tight. The recording is simple and unembellished while the CD package is a bit sparse. Whatever one’s taste, you’ll find the Stray Birds enjoyable. (Charterhouse Music Group, 12 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA 19002, www.thestraybirds.com.)BF