Black Twig Pickers: Ironto Special

The Black Twig Pickers are a band whose records play like they were recorded on a creaking back porch in a cozily nestled backyard somewhere. And that's not far from the truth. The 'Pickers often record themselves with litte more than microphones, and do not mind capturing misteps while playing the tunes- which I love. I have lately been collecting a stable of acoustic albums that have minimal production and promote the spirit of true traditional American music. And Ironto Special is definitely one of those albums. And as a testament to promoting and insuring this music's survival, the CD and Vinyl LP copies of the album include the music for the tunes and notes on tunings, so you can play the songs yourself and pass them along to other pickers! To me, that's what the tradition of this music is all about. What a great bunch of guys.

-- Chris Mateer, No Depression Top 20