Aoife (that's EE-fuh) O'Donovan is one of the Americana world's great singers. Her voice reminds me a little of Ben Webster's saxophone: her tone is pure and clear, but there is a hint of breathiness in there that adds emotion and authenticity to the sound. I've seen her with Crooked Still a couple of times and was blown away by the band's interplay and artistry, but it's O'Donovan's singing that makes them the most magnetic bluegrass group out there. Aoife is about to tour the west coast without Crooked Still, but with her friend Christina Courtin. Check out the dates and her cover of Neil Young's "Don't Let it Bring You Down" here: http://aoifeodonovan.tumblr.com/.
Below is her cover of Bob Dylan's gently apocalyptic "Farewell Angelina" and her own song "Too Repressed," played by her side project Sometymes Why, which features one of the most hilariously obscene lyrics you are likely to hear in a folk club. If you see her on tour this month, be sure to request it.
"Farewell Angelina" - Aoife O'Donovan and Chris Thile
"Too Repressed" - Sometymes Why
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