Vinyl Veins Music Reviews: Abigail Washburn

Artist: Abigail Washburn

Album: City of Refuge

Today, I want to talk about a remarkable woman. I’m always amazed to find out the history of artists that fascinate me, and this native of Evanston, Illinois has a particularly interesting story. She wasn’t always a banjo/folk enthusiast. No, in fact, she was once going to become a lobbyist and practice law in China, which is not the typical path of folk singers. Then she discovered the banjo and folk would never be the same.

Abigail Washburn’s album, City of Refuge, is so intriguing and comforting. Its beautiful and delicate sound is so pleasantly inviting. The album’s prelude is the perfect welcome to the sounds of familiarity that follow in each track thereafter. The first plucked chords on the track “City of Refuge” are brilliant and pair wonderfully with the gorgeous vocals and lyrics:

Every track brings you to a place of mind that wraps you in warmth, and transports you to a place where you long to stay. This is an album you can throw on and just bask in the beautiful cocoon of sound.

The transitions on this album are so wonderfully arranged it is inconceivably smooth. By the time you get to the track, “Last Train,” you’ll find its bittersweet lyrics soothing.

Each layer of sound is the perfect equation for one of the most freeing and heartwarming experiences I have ever had with a folk album in its entirety. The album is like having a warm cup of coffee on cool and quiet autumn day and there isn’t a care in the world to trouble your mind.

Throughout the album, Miss Washburn beautifully incorporates elements of the Eastern culture that fascinate her. I don’t know how she did it, but she is the essence of Americana. For that, I give City of Refuge 9 out of 10!

If you are curious to know more about this fascinating woman or if you like what you’ve heard, then check out her site. I’m also including her TEDTalks segment below to give you more of an idea about just how fascinating and inspiring she really is. I hope you were as moved as I was. Come on back next week for some new sounds to live your life by!