Be Good Tanyas Say Hello Love

Posted by Brett Hooton Nov 20, 2006

If you happen to be one of our fantastic Canadian readers, you have probably already heard of the Be Good Tanyas. If you are from elsewhere, you need to discover this band.

They are a group of three women from Vancouver (and once included the fabulous Jolie Holland as a member), who play an incredibly smooth and stylish version of traditional covers and original folk songs. In the past, they have effortlessly breathed new life into such standards as “Oh Susanna” and “Lakes of Pontchartrain.” Their song "The Littlest Bird" has become a true classic of contemporary folk circles.

Their albums Blue Horse (2000) and Chinatown (2003) exude a purity and simplicity that lies at the heart of traditional music. And yet, this is a new generation. These are women who bring modern concerns and sensibilities to songs rooted in the past. The result (not to mention harmonies that will make your knees weak) will blow you away… I promise… This is not just the hyperbolic ramblings of a fan.

Anyway, the trio just released their third full-length studio album, entitled Hello Love. It comes after a few years off, when the members Frazey Ford, Samantha Parton, and Trisha Klein focused on other projects, including welcoming a few new baby folk fans into this world. Congratulations, Frazey!

If you would like to know more about the band and how this record came about, check out the biography on their website.

Only a few dates in Europe and in Alberta have been announced so far. But let’s hope that we see the Tanyas out on the road again in 2007. Have a good week and check out the review in the coming days!

Join the Folk Music Section's weekly newsletter by sending an email to folkmusic@suite101.com.