Savage Hearts, the performance and recording vehicle for prominent fiddler and instructor Annie Savage, has released a new single, a pensive instrumental titled Stillness at Appomattox.
At times, Savage Hearts has been a full bluegrass band, but these days it is structured as a duo, with Annie on fiddle and harp, and Kevin Slick on guitar and banjo. The two had separately made a move from Colorado to Virginia last year, and are working together now as well.
When you give a listen to Stillness at Appomattox, most of you will be taken right away into the Ken Burns TV series, The Civil War, based both on the tune’s name, and the feeling it generates. Though nothing like Ashokan Farewell, a similarly dreamy fiddle number popularized in the series, it evokes an analogous reaction. Just consider the quiet following the battles, when the guns were silenced in 1865, and both sides were awaiting the signing of a surrender.
As far as composition is concerned, it was a tag-team effort. Annie wrote the A-part of the tune, and Kevin the B
Slick explained a bit about how he and Savage have been writing of late.
“We are trying to write compelling melodies that are unique and can easily be recognized, hummed or played along with. While some writers of instrumental music strive for complexity and showing off the instrumental pyrotechnics of the players, these tunes strive for simplicity in the style of classic old time tunes like Angeline the Baker or Soldier’s Joy.”
Have a listen to Stillness at Appomattox.
Stillness at Appomattox is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via Get It Played and AirPlay Direct.
