Artist description Acoustic country roots in the story telling tradition

Music Style Acoustic country

Musical Influences Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker

Similar Artists Acoustic country/folk artists

Artist History Martin Moss and Chrissie Hammonds first performed together after an introduction in 1986, and have been together since then, performing in various bands. In 1989 they independently released a critically acclaimed album of Martin’s songs “Up Against The Wall”. They now perform as a duo or with their acoustic band “The Whole Band” playing acoustic country roots. They have appeared on British TV and radio, and their material is regularly included on European, Australian and U.S. play lists.As well as playing the clubs and festivals of the U.K. they have also played in Europe and the U.S., including the "International Country Music Festival" in Zevenbergen, Holland, and their U.S. appearances include showcasing at the “Country Music Organisations Of America” annual show in Las Vegas, the "Tennessee Country Music Association" in Gatlinburg, and shows in Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas. Their CD "Sedona" is now available, with many of the songs inspired by their travels through the American west.

Group Members Martin Moss:guitar, harmonica, banjo, vocal. Chrissie Hammonds: vocal.Steve Payne:guitar, Charlie Rose:piano, fiddle. Dave Lewis:bass, mandolin

Instruments Acoustic guitars, slide guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, bass, harmonica

Albums Sedona

Press Reviews Martin Moss and Chrissie Hammonds are from Bristol and have been performing together in various guises since 1986. Currently they appear together as a duo or with their acoustic group The Whole Band and this new release is inspired by their many trips to the USA.All the songs are written by Martin and his lead vocal runs through the opener, a simple acoustic road song that travels the blacktops of Arizona from Flagstaff to the red rocks of Sedona and it's a tale that sets the theme and tone of what is to come- The Old Mission Hall is an insightful look at rural small town decay and it, too, has Moss to the fore. It doesn't stay that way for long because Chrissie takes over the vocals on A Fool Like Me, which is one of those growing up 'life turns full circle' sort of songs and she also takes the lead on Goodbye Georgia, & I Knew It Was You. They sing together on Jenny Lake and Calling Me Back but it's back to Martin for the rest. If these songs had been written and sung by Americans, European music critics would be falling over themselves to mete out praise, so let's give credit where it's due, this is a first rate example of high class acoustic country, coupled with some perceptive songwriting that recalls some of the endearing minutiae of American life. Frank Bradshaw, Country Music International.When I first listened to the Martin Moss and Chrissie Hammonds album 'Sedona' (BS7 Records) my first thoughts were, 'here is an exciting new act on the Texas singer/songwriter scene'. Imagine my surprise to find the duo are from Bristol, England, that is, not Virginia. I was, to use the popular vernacular, gobsmacked! Not only are the original songs so Texas and so beautifully constructed but the performance is, I can't find the words, so I'll say authentic, spot on. Like all good Texas music the instrumentation is acoustic and not contrived with plenty of room for guitars, mandolins and harmonicas. Both Martin and Chrissie sing lead whilst providing great harmonies for each other. Congratulations to all concerned. I feel sure Guy Clark, the late Townes Van Zandt or Jerry Jeff Walker would be proud of an album like 'Sedona'. Martin and Chrissie began their careers, independently, in local folk clubs, both moving through rock into country and fronting local bands without ever meeting each other. In 1986 they did meet and sang together something they have been doing ever since. In 1989 the duo released their self-financed 'Up Against The Wall' an album of songs written by Martin, which received critical acclaim. During the early nineties they formed the Cheatin' Hearts band which developed a loyal regional following but today perform mostly as a duo or, if the occasion demands, with the Whole Band. The duo's credits include appearing on television and radio, and performing in Europe, Las Vegas, Fort Worth and Dallas. Pete Smith, Country Music Round-Up.The best way I can describe the music of Martin Moss & Chrissie Hammonds is, Bob Dylan meets Robert Earl Keen Jr, in fact Martin sounds incredibly like the latter mentioned R.E.K. There is absolutely no doubt, the stand out track on this album is the title track "Sedona." This is an absolutely wonderful song............based on a trip from Flagstaff, Arizona down to Sedona............. that knocked me out the very first time I heard it. The song has also been recorded as a duet with Paul Mateki on his equally excellent CD, "So Strong." This is one of those songs that you just can't get out of your head and is certainly one of the best songs I've heard so far this year! The good music doesn't stop there though as this 11 track album is full of great, original material, like the Dylan-ish "Old Mission Hall" and the very catchy "Jenny Lake" with nice touches of Harmonica. Plus "Cowboy Gathering" and the Mandolin driven "I Knew It Was You" with Chrissie on Lead Vocal's to name just a few. Martin & Chrissie's voices complement each other very well on an album that is very much in the Folk/Country vein with heavy Texas influences and should appeal to fans of both genre's. I am ashamed to say that before receiving this fine album to review, I had never heard of this duo. But I am now a big fan and hope that maybe they might visit the North/West sometime so I can catch them "LIVE". If this sounds like your kind of music, get in touch and find out how to get hold of a copy. You'll be glad you did!!! Ray Grundy, Metro Country

Location Bristol - United Kingdom

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