The Magnolia Sessions are the brainchild of Anti-Corp/Black Matter Mastering owner Dan Emery. It consists of a series of live recordings made outdoors, literally in the shade of a large magnolia tree. Actually, it is located near the label’s headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. An idea that might seem bizarre. But which instead perfectly represents the concept of total creative and expressive freedom that the various artists and bands involved. Not only and exclusively musicians from the dark country, bluegrass and folk singers genres, have been able to embrace since 2020.
The Magnolia Sessions are back after a long hiatus
It has grown into an impressive number of exhibitions. Considering that the project underwent a long hiatus from 2022 to 2024, before resuming with an installation by Willi Carlisle in support of the victims of Hurricane Helene, the most devastating storm to hit Florida, second only to Katrina in terms of violence.
The next participant of The Magnolia Session: Aurelia Anne Cohen
Aurelia Anne Cohen, a native of Tucson, Arizona, is a truly multidisciplinary artist, having trained as a classical dancer. Indeed, her grandmother, Mary Stephanie Stigers Varon, was a well-known and highly regarded dancer. She also wrote texts on the discipline of dance. An art she then put to good use by perfecting her acrobatic dance skills, which she developed through successive and multiple experiences as a professional theatre and circus arts dancer.
“Dan Emery entrusted her with the task of continuing The Magnolia Sessions“
Endowed with a naturally creative spirit, Dan Emery entrusted her with the task of continuing The Magnolia Sessions. In this specific case developed into nine tracks adhering to a more sober and dark country/bluegrass style. Certainly far removed from its more reactionary forms.
The live environment is the protagonist
Songs where the live environment is evident, with background noises and the tireless chirping of crickets, which I want to imagine as real and not reproduced. Voice, guitar, violin, accordion. A few touches on the body of the instruments, even a bicycle bell, interact with each other. This generating a sound that may be difficult for non-practitioners to appreciate. But it is worth remembering that the spirit of the proposal counts more than its content alone.
“This is not the watered-down country music of the mainstream charts”
This is not the watered-down country music of the mainstream charts, which, with its linear production and lack of embellishment, seems more remote than ever. But rather, the genre returned to its original concept. Because, it is worth noting, there is no trace of exaggeration or facile entertainment here. However, rather a song (more about pain from which to emancipate oneself than about joy) that yearns for freedom and genuine reflection. Together with a touch of bitter realism that makes this music much deeper than it is commonly believed to be.
Track list
- Black Sea Waltz
- Father Time
- Carry It With You
- Waltz From Galicia
- Fairweather
- Now’s All You Get
- Bluemont Waltz
- Amari Szi Amari
- When The Next Whistle Blows