Devizes Festival: Roots Night, Furnace Mountain (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes Festival: Roots Night, Furnace Mountain

2:05pm Friday 15th June 2012 in Theatre & Arts

Devizes Festival kicked off in style with a great performance from Furnace Mountain in the Miller's Suite at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday evening.

The four young musicians from Virginia recreate the distinctive music of the Appalachian Mountains.

Whether focusing on up-tempo reels and jigs or very slow ballads, the quality of the musicianship shone through.

I cannot recall such a virtuoso on mandolin as Danny Knicley. The harmonies of Morgan Morrison and Aimee Curl were exquisite and drew you into the stories they were telling.

They played music many would class as heritage songs of the Appalachian region, mingled with a number of their own compositions.

The crowd of over 100 people really warmed to them and showed their appreciation.

The previous night they played Anglesey and the next night Devon.

They said they wanted to see Stonehenge, though I tried to persuade them that Avebury was a better experience.

I do not know if they took my advice but what I do know is the future of this genre of American roots music is very safe in their hands.

Ian Hopkins