Darlin’ Corey @ Portsmouth

From the northern reach of the Appalachian Trail comes the musical trio Darlin’ Corey. Drawing on the many threads of North American folk music, their elegant harmonies are the beating heart of their sound, in both their original music and the traditional Franco-American, Old Time, and Bluegrass music they regularly showcase. In Darlin’ Corey’s singing and playing, you can feel the many years of dedication to these celebrated musical traditions. Erica Brown’s fiddle-playing is at turns virtuosic and completely unpretentious. Matt Shipman is an ideal counterpart as his versatility on a dizzying array of stringed instruments (guitar, Irish bouzouki, 5-string banjo, mandolin) blend seamlessly, never timid or overpowering. Add to that Kris Day’s steady and tasteful bass playing and you will see why they have become a well known and favorite act in the Portland, ME area in recent years. Darlin’ Corey’s latest album Let the Light Back In is a thoughtfully curated collection that showcases their knack for selecting the right songs while remaining true to their live performance.