The Wiggins Sisters
MINNESOTA
Halberg 91022
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This disc shows an exceedingly dynamic pair of singing sisters with the potential to go to the furthest reaches of the folk/pop world. I hate to even limit them to that niche because they have that type of magic that can transcend all barriers when they are clicking. The disc opens with an exceedingly strong version of Jimmy LaFave's DESPERATE MEN, to which he lends his voice for supporting vocals. They do a wonderfully heart felt version of this tune that contains all the sincerity this song needs to put it across. This is one of the 2 covers on the disc, all the rest are penned by one or the other of these sisters. These ladies do write good songs as witness by their penning of 5 songs each on this disc. They evidently write alone as there are no joint credits. They vary in style from the rocker, THE BOYS FROM NEW JERSEY, to the soft stylings of, SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, to the ominous toned talking blues of, KILLING AMERICAN SOUL, to the very lilting rhythms of, IRELAND. One thing they did to really enhance the disc is get Lloyd Maines to do the producing. He is so busy, both as a producer and a side man, that he must have really thought the world of them as he is in a position to pick and choose his projects. He brings such savvy to the control board with him that it would be hard to go wrong if his expertise is heeded. They, the sisters and Lloyd, also garnered the respect of some fine studio musicians who lend their licks to the disc also. People such as John Inmon, Paul Pearcy, and Darcy Deaville to mention but a few. The musicianship and the arrangements on this disc are excellent. The songs are for the most part strong and spin a good of times and emotions we have felt with some interesting takes on the experiences. This is a very good disc that carries in it some elements that bode well for the future of this duo.
Produced by - Lloyd Maines
Songs, times, and writers
1 DESPERATE MEN - 4:18 - Jimmy LaFave
2 BOYS FROM NEW JERSEY - 5:07 - Mizzy Wiggins
3 YOU TAKE THE TOWN - 4:20 - Will T. Massey (lyrics adapted by Mizzy)
4 WALK ON WATER - 3:33 - Casey Wiggins
5 SATURDAY AFTERNOON - 4:50 - Mizzy Wiggins
6 KILLING AMERICAN SOUL - 4:40 - Mizzy Wiggins
7 ONLY MINE - 5:01 - Casey Wiggins
8 YOU'RE SO MEAN - 2:07 - Casey Wiggins
9 PARKING LOT - 3:33 - Mizzy Wiggins
10 IRELAND - 5:36 - Casey Wiggins
11 DANCE - 3:44 - Mizzy Wiggins
12 MINNESOTA - 5:10 - Casey Wiggins
Musicians
Mizzy Wiggins - vocals, acoustic guitar
Casey Wiggins - vocals, acoustic guitar
Lloyd Maines - acoustic guitar, lap steel, dobro, banjo, mandolin
John Inmon - electric and acoustic guitar
Bob Livingston - bass
Riley Osborne - piano
Paul Pearcy - drums
Darcie Deaville - fiddle, mandolin
George Morgan - pennywhistle, flute
Jimmy LaFave, Tonya Ricks and Terry Lane - backing vocals
Dennis Katsanis - harmonica (#1)
Dan Bonis - dobro, banjo
Cadence Carroll - Djembe drum