Stray Birds // NAC 06.02.2014

Stray Birds // NAC, 06.02.2014 Stray Birds is a trio from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Maya plays guitar, fiddle and banjo, Oliver takes guitar and fiddle and Charles is on double-bass, with all three taking on lead and harmony vocals. Playing two sets totalling nigh on two hours, mixing self-written originals with covers and trad songs, this is nothing new but is Americana at close to its best. Taking turns between songs to talk to the audience, all three are amusing and entertaining raconteurs. Maya's singing voice is reminiscent of a slightly deeper Robin Pecknold, Oliver combines Neil Young with Steve Earle whilst Charles has a hint of Townes van Zandt.

Whilst it would be easy to pick out covers such as van Zandt’s "Loretta” or Nancy Griffith’s "Wish It Would Rain”, that would be doing a disservice to the band’s own songs. "Simple Man” and "25 to Life” are the equal of any of tonight’s covers whilst new and unrecorded song "Adelaide” is probably the best song of the set. Well, until they kick into a rollicking trio of Appalachian fiddle tunes including "Give That Wildman A Knife” and "Bellow Falls”.