Stone Soup

Throughout most of the 1980s, folksinger Carrie Newcomer was part of this Indiana-based folk trio. Their music was highlighted by creative arrangements and multi-faceted instrumentation (predominantly folk based, but with touches of jazz and blues too) combined with the warm and wordly voice of Newcomer. It's her intelligent, reflective songs that root the group, but it's the skilled playing of guitarist Larry Smeyak and percussionist Dennis Leas' impressionistic percussion (best heard in "Leaves" and "Under the Tree") that give them flight. After a sampler cassette, the band released Long Fields in 1984 on Newcomer's own Windchime label, highlighted by the above mentioned songs, "Waiting," and Smeyak's Lord of the Rings-inspired "Weathertop." October Nights followed in 1987, containing the evocative title song and more excellent acoustic guitar/percussion interplay on songs such as "A Piece of the Truth. By the beginning of the '90s, Stone Soup was no more, though Newcomer has had a successful solo career since. The band's music is well worth seeking out for fans of the singer/songwriter genre, as well as those with an ear for inventive acoustic musicianship. ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide