Substantially Blue is the latest CD from Tori Anderson and Possum Holler. This is a bluegrassy, smoky sounding band, and I liked the music a lot. Combining favorites such as “Hot Rod Lincoln” and “Heartbreak Hotel” with their own compositions worked very well on this CD. Normally, I’m not fond of remaking classics – too often the result is either stylized or so far from recognizable that it leaves me cringing. But Possum Holler made it work. Again, the songs sounded smoky and tantalizing, with clear vocals and tapestried instrumentals. On the whole, very upbeat even though it definitely falls into the “blues” category.

~review by Karen Phillippi

Artist: Possum Holler

Hillbillygirl Music, 2005

CD, $14.00

http://www.possumhollerband.homestead.com/main.html