Faun Fables [October 26th, 2001] [www.progweed.net]

Faun Fables
The Tonic, NYC
October 26th, 2001

I'm the kind of person that is always craving something new when it comes to music. It's always fun to listen to something which you have no previous knowledge of before hand. On the one hand, it could be something that just doesn't appeal to you. But in most cases for me, when someone I know recommends something, I jump at the chance to hear it. It was with this mentality that Greg and myself followed the recommendation to check out Faun Fables, who happened to be touring and in our area within the week. The last time I took a blind recommendation was for Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, who were astounding. Coincidentally, SGM guitarist Nils Frykdahl is here as the foil to singer/songwriter/guitarist Dawn McCarthy's Fables.

After a luke-warm opening song, they were warmed up and clicking. "Sleepwalker" typifies everything there is to like about these two; vocals that are at one moment haunting, the next serene, repetitive and droning acoustic guitar, and autoharp fills. Both beautiful and chilling at the same time. Dawn's voice at times evokes the whisper-like vocals of Nick Drake, alternating with sharp and crystal clear lines. The duo played through a set comprised mostly of songs from the new album Mother Twilight, and were at one point joined by a fellow playing a marimba to a wonderful cover of a tune by an obscure Polish artist - a charming and high intensity piece with wonderfully dynamic vocals. After closing with the haunting "Live Old", two audience members were recruited for a 'skit' that continued showing the band's charmingly absurd humor, a constant fixture throughout the show.

Needless to say, we were highly impressed by this show and were quite glad we attended. Check out the Faun Fables site for more info, sound clips and a schedule of upcoming shows. Check them out if you get the chance.