Ina May Wool

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Contemporary folk/pop with country leanings

Status:

Most recent release, Crack It Open (2003)

See also:

Ina May Wool's site

The Ectophiles' Guide's entry for her duo project, Wool&Grant

Comparisons:

Dar Williams, Bonnie Raitt, Maria McKee

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Ina May Wool is a compelling artist who makes great music. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Recommended first album:

Moon Over 97th Street or Crack It Open

Recordings:

• Moon Over 97th Street (1999)
• When Tears Come Down (demo, 2002)
• Crack It Open (2003)

Moon Over 97th Street

Release info:

1999—Bang Zoom Records—101

Availability:

See website for availability

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Ina May Wool—acoustic guitar, vocals, backing vocals
Daniel A. Weiss—electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, organ, mandolin, slide guitar, backing vocal

Guest artists:

David Longworth—drums
Michael Crehore—bass
Gary Schreiner—accordions, harmonica, chromactic harmonica
Bobby Baxmeyer—mandolins
Kenny Brescia—acoustic guitars
Randy Andos—trombones, tuba
Norbert Butz—backing vocals
Bill Christopherson, violin
Jeff Potter—percussion
Dick Sarpola—acoustic basses

Produced by:

Daniel A. Weiss

Comments:

Ina May Wool's debut is very assured. Her voice is strong and sweet at once.
     The joyous "J'ai Gagne (I Won)" and the heartfelt ode to Janis Joplin are among the standouts. "Don't Wanna Wait" sounds like Bonnie Raitt crossed with Dar Williams.
     The lyrics are sharp and the melodies lovely. "Dark Star" is darkly appealing. Wool sings like an angel here.
     This debut is highly memorable. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

When Tears Come Down

Release info:

2002—Bang Zoom Records

Availability:

Promotional demo for Crack It Open, limited release

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Ina May Wool
Daniel Weiss

Guest artists:

Steve Murphy—acoustic guitar
Matt Beale—acoustic guitar, Irish bazooki, mandolin
Greg Feillin—acoustic bass

Produced by:

Daniel A. Weiss

Comments:

Some nice, acoustic songs from Ina May Wool. It would be intriguing to hear them with a full band, but they sound good now too.
     "Boxcutters and Knives" is included on Vigil, a compilation album. There aren't many songs about September 11th that are as powerful (except the one by Steve Earle). The title track of the sampler is amazing. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Crack It Open

Release info:

2003—Bang Zoom Records—BangZoom 102

Availability:

See website for availability

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Ina May Wool—vocals, acoustic guitar, backing vocals

Guest artists:

Daniel A. Weiss—acoustic guitar, backing vocals, electric guitar, piano, bass, keyboards, strings, string arrangement, organ, slide acoustic guitar, Hammond organ, sounds, electric piano, synthesizer
Vinnie Zummo—guitar effects, electric guitars
Michael Braun—drums, drum programming
Michael Crehore—bass
Marc Ribot—electric guitars
Gary Schreiner—accordion
Emily Bindiger—background vocals
Jeff Potter—percussion
Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jon Albrink—backing vocals
Billy Ward—drums
Frank Vilardi—drum programming, drums, percussion
Matt Beck—acoustic guitars, bandaria, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric 12-string guitar, mandolin, Irish bazouki, banjo
Jim Abbott—strings, string arrangement
Michele Rubin—backing vocals
Greg Feillin—acoustic bass
Steve Mack—bass
Chuck Wilson—clarinets, flutes
Russ Wever—steel guitar
Kenny Brescia—electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Tim Weil—piano
Lincoln Schliefer—acoustic bass guitar
Frank Marotta, Jr.—acoustic guitars, backing vocals

Produced by:

Daniel A. Weiss

Comments:

Ina May Wool has made a strong follow-up to her debut. She's got the knack for telling stories with her songs. "Taxi" tells of a struggling taxi driver in New York in an interesting way. "Frida" gives us the life story of Frida Kahlo in a compelling manner.
     "Big black Bear: tells how to confront fears in a humorous way. Musically it reminds me of Suzanne Vega's intricate folk-pop. The new version of "When Tears Come Down" is just gorgeous. It sounds more country this way and that suits it.
     "Lucky" is a lovely little song. It's a positive love song, but not an exuberant song, rather it's like a whisper low enough for lovers to hear if they listen closely.
     I think that shows a lot about Ina May Wool's gift for understatement. This album's a treasure. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Further info:

Email ina@inamaywool.com

Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for her work on this entry.