Mare Wakefield Ironwood Enduring. Beautiful. Organic. That’s how Mare Wakefield’s newest record feels. The aptly named Ironwood radiates strength with every song. There’s the woman who calls out all liars in “Enough Bad Love.” The mother who saves her daughter but pays a high price in “Pretty Little Bird.” The gun-toting girlfriend in “Slimeball,” and the tongue-in-cheek barfly in “Whiskey Does it Better.” But there’s a lovely elegance to the record as well. Sparkling guitars highlight opener “Enjoy the View,” while stark piano and cello complement the title track. And producer Nomad Ovunc rose to new levels on the hushed soundscape of “Dreams Come True.” “It’s mostly bass and voice, and it might just be my favorite,” Mare confides. “Nomad does this amazing thing where he frets the bass high on the neck, making it sound like some kind of baritone harp. That tune is always a show-stopper live, and with the atmospheric synth sounds it’s really gorgeous.” Besides Ovunc, Mare gets help on her fourth independent release from note-worthy Nashvillians Joe Rathbone, Colleen McFarland and Dave Isaacs. Texas troubadours Dylan Sneed, Kristy Kruger and David Newbould stop by to put on a harmony. And the sound is rounded out by Tommy Perkinson on drums, Sari Reist on cello and Josh Fuson on harmonica. The entire CD is RADIO FRIENDLY and FREE OF PROFANITY ----------------------------------------------------------------- “One of the best we’ve heard. Four stars!” ~Maverick Magazine, UK “Cozy brilliance … could she be the merger of Maria McKee, Natalie Merchant, Shawn Colvin and Dolly Parton?” ~Louisville Eccentric Observer “Musically sophisticated, weaving elements of jazz and bluegrass into her compositions. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see her perform.” ~Cheryl Eddy, San Francisco Bay Guardian “At times soft and soulful, at others riotous and rowdy … a unique and wholly self-evolved performer with that special ingredient.” ~Mark Wehner, Producer/Host, Americana Tonight, Nashville TN -----------------------------------------------------------------