The Farwells (Tin Halo, 2015)

"The Farwells" features a sound filled with rich Appalachian authenticity and conjures up images of misty mountainsides and heartbroken heroes. An almost mournful note from Becca Wintle and Debra Clifford flows throughout the album, leaning on sparse instrumentation and the duo's effortless harmonies.

"Look Up, Look Down That Lonesome Road" sets the tone right off, with soulful fiddle fills accenting a plaintive guitar strum and almost plainsong vocals while "Sugar Babe" is a minimalistic front porch jam with plucky mandolin vibes. Heartfelt pain and tragedy are felt throughout the warm guitar and fiddle flow of "Motherless Children" and is followed by the plaintive cries of the acappella "Love's Worse Than Sickness."

Celtic influences rear their head on the upbeat "Biddy" while "High Up On Tug" keeps the toes tapping and offers a true chance for Wintle's strong fiddle skills to shine. "Pretty Little Saro" has an almost hymn-like cadence to the lyric, the vocals soft and sad, led along by a subtle guitar line, a vibe that continues into yet another a cappella number on "Little White Robe." Bluegrass notes flow on "Pretty Little Indian,' Wintle's fiddle again flying before "Little Sadie" swoops in with a sassy vocal delivery from the duo.

The beautiful mourning continues on "Hang Me," the folk-tinged guitar work lovingly framed with now-familiar, but nonetheless beautiful fiddle work while "Green Pastures" delivers another taste that seems to draw from the ancient hymnal with heartfelt mandolin runs and gentle guitar. And with "That Train," The Farwells bring things to a close by putting it all together, drawing together their rich vocals alongside engaging musicianship that ends things on a high note.

"The Farwells" feels familiar with songs drawing listeners' minds and imaginations back to a simpler day and time. It's a day and time that's often been marked with hardships but something in the reflection and the delivery of these two lovely voices lends those memories a beautiful sheen and keeps you going back for more.