Cascades
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Everett Wren brings along much talent for these folk and Americana songs that are sincere and memorable.
“Ungrounded” begins the listen with Taylor Turner’s skilled upright bass that suits Wren’s distinct voice and flowing fiddle for the upbeat start, and “Fleety” follows with Sasha K.A.’s strategic drumming alongside the eloquent storytelling and playful guitars.
Arriving in the middle, “Tug At Stars” benefits from Nathan Quiring’s animated keys and Matt E. Bradshaw’s well timed trumpet and percussion that makes this the album’s best, while “Find A Way Home” makes great use of Aaron Dembe’s harmonies and wovles howling via the playful folk ideas.
Landing close to the end, the meticulous fiddle of “Banish Misfortune” also recruits penny whistle from Bradshaw, and “Weeping Willow Tree” exits with Kate Heron’s harmonies adding much beauty to the breezy melodies.
Wren is an Arkansas state fiddle champion, and additionally handles mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, lap steel, resophonic slide guitar, percussion and clogging across this very diverse effort that also touches on bluegrass, Broadway and Western music in a very original way.
Travels well with: Long Prairie- By Sunrise; Carolyn Kendrick- Each Machine