Since the late 1990s, the husband-and-wife team of Mike & Amy Finders (rhymes with cinders) have channeled their estimable talents into a catholic mix of vintage and original music that has made them one of the hottest roots acts in the midwest. Where You Are, their third disc, demonstrates yet another advance in sonic clarity, musicianship and overall presentation while continuing to keep the focus on the duos undeniable strengths.
Amys voice is the obvious show-piece. Its a sexy, mike-busting powerhouse that can deliver classic country with authentic punch, then wrap around a bluesy stomper with all the swing and sass of a Jug Band-era Maria Muldaur. Mikes agreeable tenor is convincing in its own right, and the two split lead vocal duties, chiming in with copa-cetic harmonies throughout.
The disc features three swell covers: Harlan Howards mournful Im Down To My Last Cigarette, Merle Haggards Im Bringin Home Good News, and a sneaky-fast romp on Dave Moores once-languid Take Our Time And Do It Right.
But its Mikes writing that seals the deal here, highlighted by the exquisite Adeline (named best bluegrass song in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at this years Merlefest), the delightful procrasti-nators anthem Tomorrowd Be A Good Day (to stop messin round), and the hilarious big-fish/small-town send-up Chuck Brown.
The core band (Mike on guitar and harmonica, Amy on mandolin, Dustin Busch on dobro and Mike Valencia on standup bass) is rock-solid, with ace Eastern Iowa musicians Bob Black (banjo), Al Murphy (fiddle), Dave Zollo (piano) and Marty Letz (pedal steel) adding textural variety to this Americana tour de force.
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