Listen: Martha Scanlan’s “The West Was Burning”

By Matthew Frank, 5-21-07

	Caption: Martha Scanlan performing at Missoula's River City Roots Festival in 2006. Photo by Yogesh Simpson.

Martha Scanlan “is possessed of a voice of stirring but almost brittle calm and songs that plow and cultivate emotions in a sort of musical harvest,” writes Walter Tunis.

She released her first solo album in February titled The West Was Burning, produced by and featuring Dirk Powell along with Levon Helm, Amy Helm and Glenn Patscha from the band Ollabelle.

“The haunting quality of Martha Scanlan’s voice, unique perspective and poetic imagery of her songs helped to gain national acclaim for the innovative old-time string band, Reeltime Travelers,” her website reads. “In their six years of touring they played some of America’s most prestigious venues and festivals from the Grand Old Opry to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.”

“The immersion into traditional American music and its expression in an ever-changing cultural landscape seems to be reflected in the songs she writes and the music she plays.”

Martha calls both the mountains of Tennessee and those of western Montana home, and her tour will bring her through Montana this summer. Martha plays Missoula’s The Other Side Thursday, June 14; Pine Creek Creek Lodge and Cafe in Livingston on June 15; and the 16th annual Birney BBQ on Saturday, June 16, a benefit for Northern Plains Resource Council’s effort to derail the Tongue River Railroad. She’s also performing at the “Music in the Mountains” festival in Big Sky August 9. Martha’s “bringing these nice boys out from North Carolina” for the shows.

Martha has offered the title track of her new album for New West’s Local Music Sound Off. Click here to listen to Martha Scanlan’s “The West Was Burning.” Enjoy.