The Horsenecks are a duo who live in Astoria, Oregon. Gabrielle Macrae, originally from Portland, plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo and sings. Her partner, Barry Southern, is from Liverpool and plays banjo and guitar and also sings. Although he does not play fiddle on either of these two CDs, I saw him play double fiddle with Gabrielle when they performed at the California Bluegrass Association’s 2024 Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival. Gabrielle also played banjo in the Macrae Sisters band. On their first CD, “Fiddlehead,” they are joined by Kevin Sandri on guitar and vocals and by Brian Scott Bagdones on upright bass. This was recorded in 2017. On their second CD, “Start Out in Town,” Luke Ydstie plays bass, drums, and accordion and sings harmony and Kati Claborn also sings harmony. There is an earlier recording titled “The Horsenecks,” which I think is only available for digital download.

“Fiddlehead” has fifteen tracks, starting with “Calico” from Marcus Martin. Next is “Hold the Woodpile Down” followed by Eck Robertson’s “Say Old Man Can You Play the Fiddle.” “Hawkins County Jail” comes from Hobart Smith, and “Bangum” is from Tom Bailey. Benton Flippen is the source for “Sally in the Turnip Patch.” “Netherby” is an original banjo tune by Gabrielle. They learned “God Gave You to Me” from Ralph Stanley. The powerful title cut was written by the late Greg Hooven. Art Stamper is the source for “East Virginia” while Frank Proffitt is the source for “I’m a Long Time Traveling.” They got “Just to Ease My Worried Mind” from Roy Acuff. Lynn “Chirps” Smith wrote “Shades of Death Creek.” Gabrielle wrote “Asheville Girls.” Garry Harrison is the composer of “Hay Mow.”

“Started Out in Town” was released by Tiki Parlour Recordings. It opens with Dee Hicks’ haunting banjo tune “Lost Gander.” Gabrielle wrote “Going Across the Sea.” Next is a medley of “Cotton Eyed Joe” and “Sand Lake.” “Hangman” is from Frank Proffitt. “Started Out in Town” is another original from Gabrielle. “Money” was written by Doug and Rusty Kershaw. Bob Fryfogle wrote “Six Foot Under,” which is getting lots of radio play. Sam McGee wrote “Buck Dancer’s Choice.” Gabrielle learned “Shag Poke” from Dwight Lamb. “Wave the Ocean” is traditional with an arrangement from Tim O’Brien. Gabrielle wrote “The Ballad of Jonas Byham” about her great-great-great-great-great grandfather. The last tune is “Melvin Wine’s Uncle Pen.” In the liner notes, they speculate about where Melvin got the tune. One possibility they consider is that he heard Bill Monroe’s version. Since I once heard Melvin play “Footprints in the Snow,” that is more than possible.

Whether they are playing hard-driving tunes or singing poignant songs, the Horsenecks excel at arranging and performing their material which provides great listening pleasure.

You can order both CDs from their website or Started Out in Town on Bandcamp or Old Time Tiki Parlour