Adrienne Young and Little Sadie - Plow to the End of the Row
Review by Joe Ross, Roseburg, Oregon - email rossjoe@hotmail.com

Originally from Florida, Adrienne Young may be a new face on the Nashville music scene, but she and her band Little Sadie are making a big splash with their neo-traditional sensibilities that incorporate elements of folk, country, and bluegrass. Keep in mind, however, that this is an independent release so just how far and wide will her largely original music get disseminated? On the other hand, Adrienne is a recent Belmont University
graduate with a music business degree who has a considerable amount of business acumen. This debut CD is packaged in such a way that garnered her a Grammy nomination for best recording package. The tri-fold digipak comes complete with a 20-page paper booklet (all lyrics included) and a small
packet of wildflower seeds. Take her advice to break dirt and cut the furrow. With a voice as sweet as the lemon mint, Adrienne’s sharing a bit of that passion and love for music that blooms in all of us.

The music on “Plow to the End of the Row” is solidly crafted and has a pleasant, at times striking, feel. The band’s instrumental and vocal prowess are more than sufficient, and Will Kimbrough’s and Todd Schneider’s french harp playing (on two tracks) is an especially nice, relaxing touch. The bluesy quality on “Home Remedy” is perfect to emphasize the power of love to cure most anything. Other standouts include Tyler Grant’s lead guitar and Clayton Campbell’s fiddling on a traditional tune like Leather Britches or Lonesome Road Blues. The banjo (played by Robin Rucker, Ketchum Secor, Will Kimbrough, or Adrienne) is only given a subordinate role for fill in ten songs. My own personal preference calls for mandolin over snare, drums or drum loops. Their vision for success today, however, necessitated the latter
forms of percussion, and this may actually allow them to get them more airplay on the likes of Americana and public radio “fresh tracks” programs. Electric guitar and drums draw them closer to the modern singer-songwriter folk genre.

Adrienne’s messages are thought-provoking and presented with genuine sincerity. Her advice in “Blinded by Stars” is to not “let the towncrier decide if we go to war” and “don’t be blinded by stars tangled in stripes.” Her song, “I Cannot Justify,” addresses reincarnation, but a deeper message deals with personal growth as she sings “How can I justify the narrow
vantage of these eyes, such a good disguise, I cannot justify.” The title cut is a straight-forward expression of the trials, tribulations and hardships faced by farmers.

“Sadie’s Song” starts with the fiddle tune’s familiar riff but evolves to become a tragic murder ballad of trust gone astray that provides us with some insight into the rationale for Sadie’s ultimate demise. The song took first-place in the bluegrass category of the 2003 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest. “Poison” and “Nipper's Corner” get a little too
raucous and pop oriented for my own tastes, so I’m glad to see the band come back to leaner and more acoustic arrangements by the album’s last few traditional offerings.

Adrienne Young demonstrates a maturity that belies her age, and she’ll see plenty of better days ahead. She’s been able to translate her vision into a welcome and successful Americana journey. With her soft, silky voice and songwriting talent, she’s sure to go far. I think she’s just trying to get people reconnected with what’s important in life. She sings about being born a rebel and questioning what she’s told. Let’s hope that her premonition “no wonder this young skin I’m wearin’ feel so old” does not come true and discourage her. In fact, it’s her confidence, independence and business savy that should propel her to greater heights in an industry in need of something organic, pure and fresh. (Joe Ross)