"The first thing that strikes me is the beauty and clarity of Lauren's voice. It's like discovering some new instrument that combines qualities of fiddle and clarinet, fresh but with deep roots, accompanied by some pretty impressive guitar work. Lauren's music is rich with ingredients that nourish the human spirit."
- Phil Wiggins, of Cephas and Wiggins
Lauren is a charismatic 'songster', an interpreter of songs learned from some of America's greatest folk and blues artists. She is known for her voice, a potent comination of power and clarity. Her performances are memorable for the authentic range of her material: from unaccompanied ballads, to boozy Memphis blues, to old time banjo tunes, to old country songs and eclectic modern folk. She is a musical shape shifter, in one song making the willow weep and in another making the werewolf howl. "She is a true entertainer, weaving the stories and history of the music into her performance and connecting with her audience on a personal level." (Gray Eubank, Director, Portland Christmas Revels). "Like the old songsters, I seem to have a simple destiny with song," says Sheehan. "I just collect, interpret and play the music that strikes my heart. It's the power of the strike that pulls me into a particular song."
Lauren grew up in New England where she studied classical guitar as a child and became infected by the spirit of fiddle music at contra dances in western Massachusetts. She wrote her thesis on American folk music at Reed College before spending a number of years playing in small ensembles while founding, administering, and teaching in independent schools. During this time, she toured in New England, Ireland and the Pacific Northwest. She retired from teaching in 2003 and dedicated herself to full-time performing and recording. One look at her website, shows the variety of club, concert, and festival dates she performs, in solo, duo, and trio configurations and with the old blues band Eagle Ridin' Papas.
Lauren's passion for learning directly from other musicians has led her into the homes and front porches of the musical legends who passed on much of the material and stylistic qualities she presents today. Her endearing performances spring from time spent with such legendary performers as John Cephas, Ginny Hawker, Etta Baker, Carl Rutherford and Howard Armstrong. She enjoys recalling the twinkle in John Jackson's eye when the two of them sat alone together in an old school house and he taught her "Come On Over to My House". Another vivid and hilarious memory involves a late night music jam in which the inimitable Smokey McKeen, Maine troubadour and Lauren's master's thesis mentor, concluded, "Girl, that was a two credit party!"
--{ Recordings }--
Two Wings, 2005, is a spirited collection of country blues and ballads ranging from the beseeching title cut to Lauren's haunting rendition of the old-time standard, Red Rocking Chair. Once again complimenting Lauren's singing and fine guitar and banjo picking is the virtuoso harmonica playing of international Piedmont blues star Phil Wiggins (Cephas and Wiggins). "...an exceptional vocalist and quite engaging throughout this highly recommended set...a disc well worth tracking down." Robert Tilling, Blues In Britain magazine.
> Album of the Year finalist, Independent Music Awards
> 1, Folk DJ airplay chart, October 2005
> 7, Freeform American Roots airplay chart, 2005
Her first album, Some Old Lonesome Day, 2003, scored high on radio charts around the world, including 4 on the FAR chart and 7 on the Folk DJ Chart, and received high praise from magazines and DJ's. "Lauren, you have restored my faith that there is a God for music lovers, and he made you." (Al Watts, DJ, Victoria, Australia)
--{ Selected Performances }--
Northwest Regional
> Florence Winter Folk Festival, Florence, OR
> Rogue Valley Blues Festival, Ashland, OR
> Willamette Valley Folk Festival, Eugene, OR
> Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, Pt. Angeles, WA
> Yakima Valley Folklife Festival, Yakima, WA
> The Bite of Oregon, Portland, OR
> Portland Old Time Gathering, Portland, OR
> Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, Ilwaco, WA
> Pistol River Concert Series, Pistol River, OR
> Oregon Country Fair, Veneta, OR
> Portland Pirate Festival, Portland ,OR
> Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA
> NW Folklife, Seattle, WA
> American Music Festival, Forest Grove, OR
National
> Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland, OR
> Port Townsend's Blues and Heritage Festival, Port Townsend, WA
> International Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN
> Seldovia Summer Solstice Festival, Seldovia, AK
> Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Lexington, KY
> River City Folk, nationally syndicated radio, MN
> Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
> Center for Southern Folklore, Memphis, TN
> Vendalia Gathering, Charleston, WV
> Fiddle and Bow Society, Winston-Salem, NC
> San Francisco Free Folk Festival
> Acoustic Brew concert Series, State College, PA
> Lansdowne Folk Center, Lansdowne, PA
Thanks for all your support! The show went really well at the Laugh Factory, and the turnout was great!
If you couldn't make it, I have uploaded to my profile seven ten-minute segments from this outstanding variety show featuring Old Time Music, magic, dance, comedy and fun!
