On January 28, 1948, “the sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos canyon” near Coalinga, California. All 32 passengers perished. The media identified four of the victims by name, and their remains were returned to their families for burial. The other 28 victims, referred to as only “deportees,” were buried in a mass grave. But, each one of those 28 human beings had a name, a face, and a family of loved ones who would miss them forever. The indignity of being treated as anonymous victims inspired Woody Guthrie to write his famous poem, “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportee).”
Today, “Deportee” remains a socio-political commentary as relevant as it was 70 years ago. Austin, Texas-based duo, Hardened and Tempered, reinterprets this famous song with an atmospheric blend of harmonies and stringed instruments.
credits
released November 6, 2020
Carolyn Phillips: lead vocals, ukulele
Kristin Davidson: vocals, guitar
Jane Gillman: guitar, octave mandolin, dulcimer, harp dulcimer, harmonica
Mark Epstein: bass
Produced by Jane Gillman
Recorded at Cribworks Digital Audio (Merel Bregante, engineer) and Ameripolitan Studio (Cris Burns, engineer). Vocals recorded at Cicada Studios (Andrea Perry, engineer)
Mixed and Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House Studio
Hardened and Tempered: hard enough to hold an edge; soft enough not to break. Austin-based duo Kristin Davidson and Carolyn
Phillips live that balance and express it in their music. Their songs take root in the story-telling traditions of folk and country and flourish with textured melodies and harmonies, revealing an intimate look at the human condition and one’s search for meaning....more
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