Cravin' Love for Blazin' Speed by Edith Grove

Combining folk roots, country flavor, rock attitude and blues inflections, the band brings unique perspective to the Americana genre.

The album opens with the swampy on the run "Forgiven," then travels through the band's signature country-tinged "Gunmetal Sun" before ending up in the slide-rhythm rumination of "Matadors." In between, Edith Grove takes the listener to visit Highway 61; the grand theft auto of a classic Lincoln in Albuquerque; a murder in Fayetteville, Arkansas; winding roads in the Ozarks; the brick streets of Galesburg, Illinois and life behind the wheel of a really big chrome-covered car.

"Tim (Stroh) kept saying, 'What are you doing in there?!' while we were recording," says cellist/backing vocalist Suzanne Shelton. "We're an unusual band with several classically trained musicians on board. Translating our live sound onto tape was a challenge in a lot of ways." A one-room, facing each other, damn the torpedoes approach to recording lends the album an engaging live feel. "We didn't want anything sounding over-produced. This is a raw, rough and tumble album and we like it that way," says guitarist/lead singer/songwriter Amanda Kooser.

History

Edith Grove was formed by Amanda Kooser and Suzanne Shelton in Albuquerque, New Mexico as an offshoot of popular Arkansas all-girl folk/rock band Abe Isis. Lesley Judd joined Edith Grove in late 2001 bringing with her a violin and extra set of harmony vocals. Soon local bluesman Richard Malcolm joined the group, adding another dimension of guitar and harp. Regina Chavez arrived in mid-2002 to lay down the law of rhythm.

Named for the street in London where the Rolling Stones had their first flat together, Edith Grove blends pop, folk, rock, country and blues into an Americana-styled set list of original

music. Stunning three-part harmonies and an exciting mix of instruments trademark the band. The band is currently gigging in New Mexico and promoting their new album, "Cravin' Love for Blazin' Speed."

Amanda Kooser (guitar, vocals)

Amanda was raised on a steady diet of classic rock vinyl and pop radio. Learning to play guitar from a bluesman in Arkansas skewed her songwriting somewhere a little south of center. Her distinctive vocal style and potent songs put Edith Grove on the forefront of the Americana frontier. Amanda's alternately purple or bleached hair makes her easy to spot in a crowd.

Suzanne Shelton (cello, vocals)

Suzanne is working towards a masters degree in music history at the University of New Mexico with a thesis on 20th century Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. She honed her rock cello chops in Arkansas bands the Remnants and Abe Isis. Suzanne's strong harmony vocals and classic good looks enhance her contributions to Edith Grove. A devoted male fan club follows her every move.

Lesley Judd (violin, vocals)

She won't say if she's related to "those Judds," but Lesley is a New Mexico native, born in the nuclear research town of Los Alamos. She has built a career touring worldwide as a professional violinist and continues to do double duty working classical gigs and playing with Edith Grove. Her upbeat stage presence, funky fashion sense and ability to sing and play violin at the same time attract poets to her like flies.

Richard Malcolm (guitar, blues harp, vocals)

Richard has logged extensive time playing blues and jazz throughout New Mexico and the West. Also a distinguished songwriter, his first love is the blues harp. Among his many musical accomplishments, Richard co-founded the Santa Fe School of Contemporary Music in 1987. As the only male member of Edith Grove, he is generally the object of much awe, much pity or much envy.

Regina Chavez (drums)

Edith Grove's newest member is studying percussion full time at the University of New Mexico. A self-described "marimba dude," her rhythmic interests run the gamut from trap set to tympani rolls and double mallet shenanigans.

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