Jennifer Goree

A folksinger from rural upstate South Carolina, Jennifer Goree is a fine addition to the Southern gothic school of folk-rock that includes the Lousiana-born non-sisters Lucinda Williams and Victoria Williams, as well as (spiritually, at least) Canadian moodists Cowboy Junkies. Backed by the fine (and aptly named) band Appalachian Soul (guitarist Glenn Cannon, who doubles on banjo and mandolin, harmony singer Bunny Goree, keyboardist and accordion player Andrew Brown, bassist and cellist Paul Rucker, and drummer Mark Nimmons), Goree blends acoustic folk and bluegrass with electric rock, with her spectacular voice (which strongly recalls that of Emmylou Harris) always at its center. Born in the tiny town of Six Mile, SC, in 1972, Goree grew up in a musical family. She developed an interest in music at an early age and was already performing her own material on an acoustic guitar built for her by her uncle by the age of 17. Through the early '90s, she became a part of the South Carolina folk scene, playing with various local musicians in a variety of lineups. When she sang backup vocals on singer/songwriter Tony Tidwell's self-titled debut in 1995, Tidwell's label liked Goree enough to offer to release her first album. Jennifer Goree was released to critical acclaim in 1996. The follow-up, Don't Be a Stranger (credited to Jennifer Goree and Appalachian Soul), appeared in 1997. Goree and Appalachian Soul continued playing the Southern folk circuit after its release, and Goree also joined with Celtic folk singer Karl Mullen as a harmony singer, appearing on his 1999 album Mercy Me With Curses and touring with his band Ploughman's Lunch. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide