MP3 Christene Ledoux - Dust ´n´ Branches ... Songs From A Wanderer

CDbaby editors pick - HIGHLY recommended. Multi award-winning American songwriter, Telluride, Falcon Ridge, Rocky Mt. Finalist w/ an angelic voice & gifted writer delivering hauntingly beautiful songs. Appearing Eliza Gilkyson.

11 MP3 Songs in this album (38:54) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Americana, FOLK: Folk-Rock



Details:
A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner, Billboard Songwriting Award winner, Performing Songwriter Top 12 Pick and chosen amongst the UK's Top Maverick Magazine as Ladies Choice to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike across the globe.

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* CDBaby Editors pick

* Top recommended album in Belgium

* Continuous BBC Radio airplay throughout the UK, Wales, Scotland & Ireland and all over Europe.

* Top album now in The Netherlands


"Excellent follow up to Christene's 'Little Lighthouse' album. Produced by Mark Hallman (Eliza Gilkyson, Gretchen Peters, Shawn Colvin), this new disc is a great collection of songs that will bring Christene to a much hight profile in the UK..."

NEIL PEARSON - Fish Records, England (June 2008)


"If the toast catches fire behind you, youâll stoically let the house crumble into ashes around you before you even consider pressing âejectâ."


Marco Rossi/Echo Dorset UK (June 2008)


"'Angel You've Come Too Soon' ...an absolute belter!. She reminds me a bit of EVA CASSIDY - and the early days of OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN "'

BRIAN CLOUGH - Smooth Country, SMOOTH RADIO (UK)


"Christene is a strong lyricist, and from the reflective âFor My Rosesâ through to the direct and clear message of âDear Mr Presidentâ (which also sees Eliza Gilkyson helping out), she paints vivid pictures in her songs, throughout the disc sheâs both thoughtful and direct and often gives the listener much to consider. An independent storyteller in the true sense of the word, her songs are glimpses into the sights, sounds and stories of her own experiences and the lives of the people populating her tales.
The experience of an established producer has given a new edge to the songs and the quality of the instrumentation and production means that this disc deserves to find a wide audience across both Europe and the US."

Neil Pearson of Fish Records (UK-June 2008)


"...beautiful...a feel of Nanci Griffith."

Sally Naden & Carole Turner, BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE (June 2008)


"Musical second cousin to Nanci Griffith, her lyrical sharpness and observation parallels that of Michelle Shocked..."
Mike/Sondscape.org.uk (live review/Swansea, Wales (June 2008)


"What a truly beguiling voice. I put on Dust âNâ Branches... Songs From A Wanderer when I got home from work yesterday and didnât realise I was swooning until I fell right over on to my face. I was still captivated, though. âOuch...â I muttered distractedly.
I mean, itâs not as though sheâs a high octane, milliondecibel belter â quite the reverse, in fact â but she could melt the walls of the strongest fortifications with the warmth of that voice. In all honesty, I canât even point you towards an album highlight because the minute you put this on, its quiet, delicate, enveloping surfaces engender a complete mood that you wonât want to interrupt until the album is finished.

Marco Rossi - Dorset Echo, UK. June 2008


"If this album was a coat, I would wear it every day because it fits great and feels so damned comfortable."

countrystartpage.com (July 2008)

"Thereâs a definite nod to Aimee Mann in the content and intent of âDear Mr Presidentâ (no prizes for guessing the target for that one) with its strolling rock rhythm, wandering guitar lines and graceful melody that could be straight off âBachelor #2â. The âplease donât speak in my name, donât use my face in the picture you paint of Americaâ hardly a pioneering sentiment, but its restrained personal defiance and battle-weary delivery is the albums high water-mark. âOpen Woundâ takes us back to the country ballads, but this time backed subtly; its strength lying is its simplicity. Finally âJust When You Thinkâ rounds off the album in a gentle tranquillity.
Pristinely produced and beautifully packaged, Christene LeDoux has crafted a strong set of songs from her travels."

Americana UK (July 2008)


"I was delighted working with Christene on âDust & branches...songs from a wandererâ. She takes personal experiences and paints pictures with her songs that captivate the listener, which is not easily done in the present over-saturated musical climate."

Mark Hallman/Congress House Studios


Recorded in record time - six days - in the Spring of 2008 with Austin, Texas friend & renowned producer/engineer Mark Hallman (Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Gretchen Peters & Carole King amongst others) nestled in a cozy house on the outskirts of Austin, Texas - Christene's highly anticipated latest full-length CD, "dust 'n' branches... songs from a wanderer" has arrived.

Although recorded, designed, duplicated & released all within two months, the short time frame only seemed to tap into a the depth and honesty Christene is known for giving you the feeling this record has been slow-cooking and brewing for years.

Marco Rossi of The Dorset Echo in England put it best, "What a truly beguiling voice. I put on Dust âNâ Branches... Songs From A Wanderer when I got home from work yesterday and didnât realise I was swooning until I fell right over on to my face. I was still captivated, though. âOuch...â I muttered distractedly...she could melt the walls of the strongest fortifications with the warmth of that voice. In all honesty, I canât even point you towards an album highlight because the minute you put this on, its quiet, delicate, enveloping surfaces engender a complete mood that you wonât want to interrupt until the album is finished."

As a testament to her talent, well-known fellow Austin musician Eliza Gilkyson appears on the record and popular Texas musician Tom Russell painted the cover especially for Christene. The original photo that inspired Tom's painting - a photo of Christene riding a friends bike, guitar on back on her way to perform at The Cambridge Folk Festival - can be found on Christene's website.

A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner, Billboard Songwriting Award winner, Performing Songwriter Top 12 Pick and chosen amongst the UK's Top Maverick Magazine as Ladies Choice to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike across the globe.

Christene has, as a many folk singers before her, lived hard and traveled far, earning each mile and tale as only a wandering minstrel can do. Living everywhere from California to Arizona, Alaska to Connecticut, Colorado to Tennessee, Texas to London, on the roads & in the campgrounds of the US in her Ford truck & Airstream trailer and now the alps of Innsbruck, Austria - Christene is a gifted storyteller, mesmerizing singer and possesses some of the best songwriting out there.

Those who know Christene know she is jack of many trades. Having done everything from writing sports to fueling airplanes, raising huskies to building lipstick holders, working in Real Estate, as a waitress and mountain photographer, dog-walker/trainer and clown, children's party planner, caterer and nanny - if that wasn't enough - knowing nothing about graphic design, in the last two weeks before the CD was due to be duplicated, Christene designed the CD package almost in it's entirety.

After Tom Russell created the painting, Christene worked on the cover design with talented Austin designer Dick Reeves (Willie Nelson, Asleep at the wheel & others). The rest of the package; the 12-page book, CD tray, back panel, interior panel and the CD itself was designed and put together by Christene herself.

The package of course is only the icing on the cake.
Each song was hand-picked out from Christene's large collection of songs based on all the people and experiences that encompass her travels.
Christene took a batch into the studio and there she and Mark made the tough decision which would stay and which would go. Most of the tracks Mark played over 15 instruments on and wide array of Christene's other talented Austin musicians joined in including Eliza Gilkyson.

"A prolific touring artist, itâs obvious these songs have been fine-tuned and honed in front of many audiences; the eleven songs are well constructed, melody led pieces that flow and sit together perfectly, and from the simple acoustic arrangement of âTumbleweedâ through to the fuller band track âWhiskey Nightâ, the collection feels rounded and well considered."
Neil Pearson/FISH Records, UK (June 2008)

This was Christene's first time working with Mark, surely not her last. "We had the exact same vision and clearly he brought so much talent and experience to the project, taking it in directions I hadn't even planned. I really love the outcome can't wait to start the next record!"

In the short 6 weeks since it's release, the first run is not only ready for another run but has begun to gain critical acclaim as well as constant BBC Radio airplay throughout England, Scotland and Wales as well as airplay across Europe.

The press continues to pour in and with an almost constant touring schedule all over the world, it'll be no surprise to watch Christene reach the level she deserves both in America and abroad.

Watching Christene perform live is like spending time with your closest friend. Her ease with her audience is alarming ... her stories both funny and tragic and just when you think you know where it's going, she takes you from tears to laughter in a matter of minutes.

"The effervescent Christene LeDoux is an American with plenty of audience participation in mind. Hers are songs of personal experiences; a road trip through her life with warm descriptive narratives set over extended song introductions. LeDoux is from the East Coast of America but is certainly well travelled, telling us of her journey across the U.S. and Europe. She asks for permission before using the F-word, which almost contradicts the crystal clear complexion of her vocals which when combined with the sparkling guitar work all serve to captivate. Some of Christene's storyboards are well over ten minutes long, but itâs time well spent as she shifts straight into sweet protest lullabies that close the story. An instant favourite carries the line âI Am Tumbleweedâ - it's a pin-drop moment.

As LeDoux takes us on this journey, the crowd are asked to provide a chorus and beats, along with, quite oddly, an open forum on recommended alcoholic cold remedies. She pays homage to the seminal American roots folk musician Utah Phillips who died just a few weeks ago, who she cites as a major influence on her music. LeDoux closes on a protest song about Bush and the âWarâ , even placing a careful distinction between supporting the soldiers whilst still ably questioning the moral code of why they are there in the first place. Entertaining, warm and as a sublime bonus, talented too."

JP/Manchester Music live review at The Met/Bury, UK (June 2008)



"...she was a dream. We really enjoyed her coming to the station."

ANN MARIE PEARCEY, KCFM 99.8, UK (Jun 2008)


"She played songs from her new album, produced by Mark Hallman, "Dust 'n' Branches, Songs From A Wanderer" and also from 2003's "Little Lighthouse". Christene is quite delightful and her songs enchanting. I thoroughly recommend this American born, but now Austria based, songwriter and urge you to catch her over the summer whilst she is on tour... Go on have a listen, you won't be disappointed."

Graeme Scott - Leith FM 98.8, Leith, Scotland (June 2008)



Arthur Jefferson of 'San Francisco Art Magazine' put it best when he wrote, "The lyrics of Christene LeDoux are so clear and vivid that with each note and tone she emits, a detailed form seems to take shape in our minds. To call LeDoux a storyteller is to understate her skills. She is an artist creating exquisite imagery through song. Her entire performance was pure art, her voice of angelic purity. Through every song the crowd was entranced, the aura of their love and appreciation a palpable presence in the club. This is what the experience of music is all about."

For those that have crossed paths with Christene - they know calling Austin, Texas, London, England and Innsbruck, Austria home is exactly what you would expect from not only a self-confessed Tumbleweed but an often labeled perpetual wanderer.

As one British reviewer wrote, "She delivers both stories and songs with such passion and conviction that you can't help but know she is onto something good. I was left in no doubt that to see Christene perform live is about more than just live music. It is about being given a unique opportunity to understand who the person behind that music is, and to share for a brief time, her life on the road and be a part of that journey."