By Deborah Chatham
Photos by Stephen Anderson
Edited by Johnny Cole
The Southland Music Line attended the album release of Amanda Donald’s 100 Roots which took place on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, Alabama. Opened in 1946, Callaghan’s, which has hosted shows by such music artists as Jason Isbell, Alabama Shakes, Jimmy Hall, the late Justin Townes Earl, Dylan LeBlanc, and Lilly Hiatt, has also long supported local talent, making it an excellent venue for this concert.
Donald is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music can be described as Americana Roots with a pinch of country thrown in. A roster of experienced and beloved local musicians accompanied her throughout the show, including; Tyler Wison (acoustic guitar and banjo), Greg DeLuca (drums), Tommy Irwin (pedal steel), James “Jimbo” Kurisko (electric guitar), Kelly Mckee (dobro), Amanda Donald’s sister, Katrina Kolb (upright bass), and Gabe Willis (bass guitar). All of these musicians, including Donald, have played together in various combinations over the years. As a result, they are at ease playing with one another and supportive of each other’s musical endeavors.
Above two photos: Amanda Donald at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL
Amanda played a set list that consisted of 12 songs that mirrored the lineup of tunes as they are performed on 100 Roots. The first song featured Amanda on a rollicking original song, “Get in Line”. She demonstrated her fiddling skills on the first song, as well as, the second song, “Red Flags”. The third number, “After All We’d Been Through”, had a taste of bluegrass. On the fourth song, “Silhouette”, Amanda played a soulful mandolin. Amanda Donald’s songs feature the subjects of friends, family, memories, and places that she has experienced along the Gulf Coast. “I Cried Today”, featured Gabe Willis’ bass on what Donald called, “a simple country song.” The title track, “100 Roots” references the Boyington tree in Mobile, Alabama, and was written as a tribute to her grandparents. The final track “Leaving Alabama” belies the true tale of leaving Alabama. She leaves only to return as time passes and maturity grows.
This was an enjoyable concert that played to a packed house. Amanda Donald is a young, multi-talented musician that we highly recommend listening to and following as she continues to hone her singer, instrumentalist, and songwriting skills. The Southland Music Line congratulates her on the new album and wish her continued success.
100 Roots by Amanda Donald
Produced by Amanda Donald and Jonathan Puzan; Recorded at Honey Hive Records in Perdido Key, FL
Track Listing:
● “Get in Line”
● “Red Flags”
● “After All We’d Been Through”
● “Silhouette”
● “I Cried Today”
● “Simple Pleasures”
● “100 Roots”
● “‘Til The End of Time”
● “What if the Music Wasn’t Enough”
● “I Found You”
● “Friendly Heart”
● “When I Leave Alabama”
Official Album Release Date: Aug. 25, 2023
℗ 2023 Fiddle Me This Records
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (The site of Amanda Donald’s album release show.
Links:
Amanda Donald’s Official Website
Amanda Donald on Spotify
Amanda Donald on ITunes
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
© The Southland Music Line. 2023.
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