Oregon based band Kristen Grainger and True North follow-up 2018’s acclaimed Open Road, Broken Heart with Ghost Tattoo – another great album of folk based Americana with touches of bluegrass. Ghost Tattoo has greater lyrical depth than previous albums while contemplating the troubled times we’re all living in. To quote Grainger, “My goal is to craft song stories that illuminate extraordinary aspects of ordinary life.” In addition to original numbers, Grainger and Co. cover The Secret Sisters’ “Mississippi”, Cahalen Morrison’s “Down in the Lonesome Draw”, Darrell Scott and Tim O’Brien’s “When No One’s Around”, and Peter Rowan’s “Lonesome LA Cowboy.” Original highlights include: nostalgic bluegrass-infused opening-track “Keep the River On Your Right”; the back porch ditty “Light by Light”; the country folk number “Fine Young Companion”; and the track that takes on children separated and detained in “Ghost of Abuelito.” Kristen Grainger and True North’s Ghost Tattoo is another great set of Pacific Northwest Americana. – Written by JFelton
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