One of Austin's newest and hottest bands is a trio of young acoustic musicians who call themselves The Greencards. They've quickly won over audiences and critics alike with their dazzling and superb musicianship with their music that combines bluegrass with traditional acoustic hill country music. And against all odds, The Greencards have become the toast of the Americana/country music scene and not a single member of the group is an American.

The Greencards are made up of Australian native Carol Young (bass and vocals), fellow Aussie Kym Warner (mandolin and vocals), and Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle an vocals), who hails from Great Britain. Before teaming up, all three musicians aquired very impressive resumes individually. Carol achieved two #1 hits in her native Australia and was named Australian Independent Country Artist of the Year, both in 2000, and received nominations from the CMA of Australia for Best Female Vocalist and Best New Talent. Her vocals have graced several acclaimed recordings both in Australia and the U.S., and before becoming a member of The Greencards, she most recently worked with Rodney Hayden. Kym was the winner of four consecutive Australian National Bluegrass Mandolin Championships (1994-1997), was nominated for Instrumental of the Year for "Mando on the Mainland" in 1999 by the CMA of Australia, he received a scholarship to the acclaimed Bluegrass program at South Plains College (Levelland, TX) and has toured with names that include Rodney Crowell, Kasey Chambers, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison and Ben Atkins. Eamon has played professionally since age 13, was classically trained at the Royal School of Music in London and has become a highly sought after songwriter and collaborator who has worked with names that include Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison and most recently, the Austin Lounge Lizards.

Movin' On is the debut disc from this talented trio that combines a few covers peppered in among their originals. There are Celtic undertones to the disc's opener, a toe-tapping "Jolly Hockeysticks," the uptempo bluegrass of "The Far Side Of The Hill," and a haunting cover of Gillian Welch's "Caleb Meyer." Carol takes lead vocals on the disc's title track, "Movin' On," about bidding farewell to a bad relationship and gives it a bluesy feel, while she delivers a sterling cover of Robert Earl Keen's "Love's A Word" with a plaintive urgency. "You Pulled Me Out" and the jaunty "Life's A Highway" showcases their outstanding harmony vocals. Movin' On includes two other instrumentals, the foot stomping "Small Tots" that showcases some stellar musicianship that seems almost a fiddle-mandolin duel, and the lovely and moody "Leonardo's Ride." To round out the disc, The Greencards provide a blazing highlight with "Six White Horses," and an outstanding dark spiritual, "The Man From Galilee."

With Movin' On, The Greencards have delivered a vibrant breath of fresh air into into modern bluegrass/traditional acoustic music and have quickly made a name for themselves by serving up strong songwriting that's equal to the disc's covers, some of the most sterling musicianship around and lush, tight harmonies.      

Standout Tracks:  "Caleb Meyer," "You Pulled Me Out," "Leonardo's Ride," "The Man From Galilee," "Six White Horses," "Life's A Freeway"

On The Net:  www.thegreencards.com  www.cdbaby.com  www.waterloorecords.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack February 2004