Joy Williams and John Paul White aren't a couple, but they certainly sound like they're in love, singing together with the sort of familiarity that only seems to exist between couples and siblings. On Barton Hollow, their studio debut as the Civil Wars, the two trace each other's melodies with close harmonies that never fail to lose their romance, even on breakup tunes like "Falling." It's an organic, folk-pop sound not unlike the one made by the Swell Season, another boy/girl duo with a talent for making heartbreaking Americana. If the Civil Wars are America's answer to that band, then "Poison & Wine" is their "Falling Slowly." An aching, gorgeous tribute to a relationship on the rocks, it's one of the few tracks to include more than an acoustic guitar, with some piano and soft drums also making their way into the mix. Even so, the focus remains on the band's vocals, which are easily the best instruments on Barton Hollow. Those who don't like rootsy ballads are in for some slim pickings, since Barton Hollow shines its brightest whenever the tempos slow, the lights dim, and the voices rise up. But the title track, with its outlaw lyrics and swanky Southern groove, is a nice change from the norm, and "I've Got This Friend" finds a balance between both camps. Good stuff. ~ Andrew Leahey Recording information: The Art House, Nashville, TN. Photographer: Tec Petaja. Personnel: John Paul White, Joy Williams (vocals). Audio Mixer: Richie Biggs. Mojo (Publisher) (p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "There are not drums to be found, nor superfluous ribbons'n'bow arrangements, just two gorgeously restless, swarthy voices destined to be together."
Paste (magazine) - "[W]hile the songs get loud, they rarely get bombastic. For the most part, it's simple vocal melodies and harmonies accompanied by acoustic guitar."
Uncut (magazine) (p.75) - "[T]here's a passion and naturalism to these songs that make them worthy of the hubbub."
Paste (magazine) - "[W]hile the songs get loud, they rarely get bombastic. For the most part, it's simple vocal melodies and harmonies accompanied by acoustic guitar."
Uncut (magazine) (p.75) - "[T]here's a passion and naturalism to these songs that make them worthy of the hubbub."
20 Years, version 1
20 Years, version 2
Published on Dec 11, 2012
The Civil Wars held a contest for filmmakers to create the official video for the song, "20 Years" from their debut album, Barton Hollow. This video, from South African production company, Innerview Productions, was the winner. Here's what the creators of the video had to say:
"Under the apartheid regime in South Africa many Native South Africans were dispossessed of their land and were forced to leave their families to earn a living and pay taxes by working as cheap labour in the mines across the country. They were banned by law from bringing wives and children with them to the mines as they were considered "superfluous appendages" Many of these families were torn apart for extended periods of time, many died of mining related diseases, while some returned to their families after years or even decades apart.
The video depicts a Xhosa newlywed couple whose lives are separated for economic and political reasons as the husband leaves to work in the mines to sustain his family financially."
"Under the apartheid regime in South Africa many Native South Africans were dispossessed of their land and were forced to leave their families to earn a living and pay taxes by working as cheap labour in the mines across the country. They were banned by law from bringing wives and children with them to the mines as they were considered "superfluous appendages" Many of these families were torn apart for extended periods of time, many died of mining related diseases, while some returned to their families after years or even decades apart.
The video depicts a Xhosa newlywed couple whose lives are separated for economic and political reasons as the husband leaves to work in the mines to sustain his family financially."
Poison and Wine
love...a thing that brings us together, binds us to each other, has power to pull us apart unless it is given freely...as it should be.
To Whom It May Concern
be here ~
Between the Bars
...cover of Elliot Smith's classic
I like this version very much
Falling
such sadness...i have only been the one who needed to leave once, but i've had these words spoken to me many times in my life...
their first song collaboration
Barton Hollow
fantastic song to dance to, to sing
Forget Me Not
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