Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've always thought lead singer and violinist Annie Wolaver was an excellent vocalist and musician whose best work, for me at least, is in a country/bluegrass direction. This is proven on the engaging instrumental romp "Turkey Blossom Medley" - a fusion of those bluegrass favourites "Turkey In The Straw" and "Orange Blossom Special". But as this 2005 release demonstrates, there are a lot more strings to Annie's fiddle than down home knee slappers and she and her brothers and sisters band members present a wide sweep of music here, taking in everything from easy listening to classical to pop to something which is very close to prog rock. The musicianship is top rate throughout. Alongside Annie's singing, violin and viola, there's Alex Wolaver on viola; Benjamin Wolaver on cello; Bill Wolaver on piano; J Javier Santiago on drums; Peter Bass on guitar and mandolin and there's probably some child Wolaver popping up here and there. Oh, and Robin Wolaver wrote most of the lyrics. They're good as well ("And His heart broke/And His breath choked/And the whip did rip/With a mean stroke/And the flesh tore/And the blood poured/And our sin dug in/ Like a sharp thorn/But He did not fight/When the hammer fell/His love was tough as nails"). Some may find Annie's vocal stylings a little too melodramatic and the rampant eclecticism of 'Eden' makes it somewhat unfocused as an album. But there's no doubting the technical brilliance of the tribe of Wolaver.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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