Tattletale Saints
How Red Is the Blood
Old Oak 003

www.tattletalesaints.com
 

Guitarist Cy Winstanley and bassist Vanessa McGowan are New Zealanders, but met in the US playing jazz. On returning to New Zealand, they began playing as the country-folk duo Tattletale Saints. When it came time to record an album, they successfully crowd-funded their way back to the US, enlisting Tim O’Brien along the way and recording their album at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville.

Despite the Saints’ jazz roots, their songs work best when keeping things simple. While a few of the more upbeat tracks, like opener “Kathleen,” have definite pop cachet, the quieter tracks resonate more fully. “Traces of You” recalls “Save the Last Dance For Me” without being imitative, and the contemplative instrumental “Jessica On Prairie Legs” provides a lovely interlude in the second half of the record. The title track waltzes through the middle of the album, dissecting the aftermath of ruinous romance with their best harmonies and a beautiful, understated mandolin solo from O’Brien.

While it remains to be seen how the Saints will fare in this country, January saw them take home the New Zealand’s ‘Tui’ award for best folk album. One can only imagine what awaits them here if they can manage to catch AAA radio’s attention, or nab some licensing spots; their music is a great fit for either of those formats.

— Dan Greenwood