Christene Ledoux - Dust 'N' Branches: Songs from a Wanderer

A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner, Billboard Songwriting Award winner, Performing Songwriter Top 12 Pick and chosen amongst the UK's Top Maverick Magazine as Ladies Choice to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike across the globe. **************************** * CDBaby Editors pick & TOP seller * Top recommended album in Belgium * Continuous BBC Radio airplay throughout the UK, Wales, Scotland & Ireland and all over Europe. * Top album now in The Netherlands * Since July 2008, it's already reached #23 on the EuorAmericana charts and still climbing * Going into re-duplication in less than 3 months since it's release! 'Excellent follow up to Christene's 'Little Lighthouse' album. Produced by Mark Hallman (Eliza Gilkyson, Gretchen Peters, Shawn Colvin), this new disc is a great collection of songs that will bring Christene to a much hight profile in the UK...' ~NEIL PEARSON - Fish Records, England (June 2008) 'If the toast catches fire behind you, you'll stoically let the house crumble into ashes around you before you even consider pressing 'eject'.' ~Marco Rossi/Echo Dorset UK (June 2008) ''Angel You've Come Too Soon' ...an absolute belter!. She reminds me a bit of EVA CASSIDY - and the early days of OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN '' ~BRIAN CLOUGH - Smooth Country, SMOOTH RADIO (UK) 'Christene is a strong lyricist, and from the reflective 'For My Roses' through to the direct and clear message of 'Dear Mr President' (which also sees Eliza Gilkyson helping out), she paints vivid pictures in her songs, throughout the disc she's both thoughtful and direct and often gives the listener much to consider. An independent storyteller in the true sense of the word, her songs are glimpses into the sights, sounds and stories of her own experiences and the lives of the people populating her tales. The experience of an established producer has given a new edge to the songs and the quality of the instrumentation and production means that this disc deserves to find a wide audience across both Europe and the US.' ~Neil Pearson of Fish Records (UK-June 2008) '...beautiful...a feel of Nanci Griffith.' ~Sally Naden & Carole Turner, BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE (June 2008) 'Musical second cousin to Nanci Griffith, her lyrical sharpness and observation parallels that of Michelle Shocked...' ~Mike/Sondscape.org.UK (live review/Swansea, Wales (June 2008) 'What a truly beguiling voice. I put on Dust 'N' Branches... Songs From A Wanderer when I got home from work yesterday and didn't realise I was swooning until I fell right over on to my face. I was still captivated, though. "Ouch..." I muttered distractedly. I mean, it's not as though she's a high octane, milliondecibel belter - quite the reverse, in fact - but she could melt the walls of the strongest fortifications with the warmth of that voice. In all honesty, I can't even point you towards an album highlight because the minute you put this on, it's quiet, delicate, enveloping surfaces engender a complete mood that you won't want to interrupt until the album is finished. ~Marco Rossi - Dorset Echo, UK. June 2008 'If this album was a coat, I would wear it every day because it fits great and feels so damned comfortable.' ~countrystartpage.com (July 2008) 'There's a definite nod to Aimee Mann in the content and intent of 'Dear Mr President' (no prizes for guessing the target for that one) with it's strolling rock rhythm, wandering guitar lines and graceful melody that could be straight off 'Bachelor #2'. The "please don't speak in my name, don't use my face in the picture you paint of America" hardly a pioneering sentiment, but it's restrained personal defiance and battle-weary delivery is the albums high water-mark. 'Open Wound' takes us back to the country ballads, but this time backed subtly; it's strength lying is it's simplicity. Finally 'Just When You Think' rounds off the album in a gentle tranquillity. Pristinely produced and beautifully packaged, Christene LeDoux has crafted a strong set of songs from her travels.' ~Americana UK (July 2008) 'I was delighted working with Christene on 'Dust & branches...songs from a wanderer'. She takes personal experiences and paints pictures with her songs that captivate the listener, which is not easily done in the present over-saturated musical climate.' ~Mark Hallman/Congress House Studios Recorded in record time - six days - in the Spring of 2008 with Austin, Texas friend & renowned producer/engineer Mark Hallman (Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Gretchen Peters & Carole King amongst others) nestled in a cozy house on the outskirts of Austin, Texas - Christene's highly anticipated latest full-length CD, 'dust 'n' branches... songs from a wanderer' has arrived. Although recorded, designed, duplicated & released all within two months, the short time frame only seemed to tap into a the depth and honesty Christene is known for giving you the feeling this record has been slow-cooking and brewing for years. Marco Rossi of The Dorset Echo in England put it best, 'What a truly beguiling voice. I put on Dust 'N' Branches... Songs From A Wanderer when I got home from work yesterday and didn't realise I was swooning until I fell right over on to my face. I was still captivated, though. "Ouch..." I muttered distractedly...she could melt the walls of the strongest fortifications with the warmth of that voice. In all honesty, I can't even point you towards an album highlight because the minute you put this on, it's quiet, delicate, enveloping surfaces engender a complete mood that you won't want to interrupt until the album is finished.' As a testament to her talent, well-known fellow Austin musician Eliza Gilkyson appears on the record and popular Texas musician Tom Russell painted the cover especially for Christene. The original photo that inspired Tom's painting - a photo of Christene riding a friends bike, guitar on back on her way to perform at The Cambridge Folk Festival - can be found on Christene's website. A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner, Billboard Songwriting Award winner, Performing Songwriter Top 12 Pick and chosen amongst the UK's Top Maverick Magazine as Ladies Choice to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike across the globe. Christene has, as a many folk singers before her, lived hard and traveled far, earning each mile and tale as only a wandering minstrel can do. Living everywhere from California to Arizona, Alaska to Connecticut, Colorado to Tennessee, Texas to London, on the roads & in the campgrounds of the US in her Ford truck & Airstream trailer and now the alps of Innsbruck, Austria - Christene is a gifted storyteller, mesmerizing singer and possesses some of the best songwriting out there. Those who know Christene know she is jack of many trades. Having done everything from writing sports to fueling airplanes, raising huskies to building lipstick holders, working in Real Estate, as a waitress and mountain photographer, dog-walker/trainer and clown, children's party planner, caterer and nanny - if that wasn't enough - knowing nothing about graphic design, in the last two weeks before the CD was due to be duplicated, Christene designed the CD package almost in it's entirety. After Tom Russell created the painting, Christene worked on the cover design with talented Austin designer Dick Reeves (Willie Nelson, Asleep at the wheel & others). The rest of the package; the 12-page book, CD tray, back panel, interior panel and the CD itself was designed and put together by Christene herself. The package of