Spring a Leak

The Wilders | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Free Dirt Records
• ASIN: B000MQC8W0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,164 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Jawbone

2. Settin' The Woods On Fire

3. Kansas City Star

4. Oklahoma Run

5. Too Much Water

6. Night Train To Memphis

7. Going Across The Sea

8. Once More

9. Old Leather Bonnet With A Hole In The Crown

10. Hallelujah I'm Ready

11. Try Doing Right

12. Kansas City Railroad Blues

13. Keep My Skillet Good And Greasy

14. Rabbit Up A Gum Stump

15. Ida Red

16. Untitled

17. Untitled

Editorial Reviews

Originally released in 2003 before it was reissued by Free Dirt in 2007, the Wilders' Spring a Leak is a spirited romp through an old-timey set of vintage country, folk, and rockabilly songs. Lead singers Betse Ellis and Ike Sheldon have authentically old-timey vocal styles that mesh perfectly with the all-acoustic instrumentation. The song selection is equally pitch-perfect, ranging from a ripping take on Fred Rose's country chestnut "Settin' the Woods on Fire" to some seriously old-school blues and bluegrass standards like "Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy" and "Ida Red," the country song that was the direct inspiration for Chuck Berry's "Maybelline," given an arrangement that makes plain the newer song's debt. Without making a fetish of their "authenticity" -- the downfall of so many bands that attempt this kind of musical wayback machine -- the Wilders have a deep and abiding knowledge and reverence for their material. But just as importantly, Spring a Leak is a mighty fun time. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Settin' the Woods on Fire, May 15, 2008

By 

A reader (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Spring a Leak (Audio CD)

I was sitting in the Roots Music tent at a festival in North Carolina, waiting for The Wilders, a group I've never heard of before, to perform. Out walked a lady and three gentlemen, the men in beige suits and cowboy hats (one of them sporting a beard of considerable length), and the lady wearing a flowered frock and carrying a fiddle. With the double bass player standing at the back, they all crowded around a single microphone, took a breath, and ... BLEW THE ROOF OFF THE TENT!!!! It was the most thrilling performance I heard all weekend at that very large, star-studded festival. When someone gave me SPRING A LEAK as a gift, I wondered if the thrill would translate to recording. Well, it does.

The Wilders' repertoire is fully represented here: old-time music, fiddle tunes, hillbilly country, bluegrass-inflected Western swing, honky-tonk, Appalachian gospel...everything from Roy Acuff to Fred Rose to Roger Miller to good old Ms. Public Domain and Mr. Traditional. I've been listening non-stop since I got it, and enjoy it more with every play. I love the choice of tunes on this CD and the way The Wilders make them their own even while remaining stylistically true to the genre.

There's nothing like seeing The Wilders live. But SPRING A LEAK stands on its own as a first-rate recording of American music sung by pros making a joyful noise. Check out their website and if you have to, catch a 747 to their next gig. And pick up this CD to get you in the mood along on the way.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars un-freaking-believable, March 3, 2007

By 

Joel K. Phillips (baton rouge, la United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spring a Leak (Audio CD)

i stumbled onto this via their booking agent and instantly fell in love. if you love Hank Sr., Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Roger Miller.....you'll love this. i cant stop moving when this cd comes on. and to see them LIVE!!! i will never forget that day. if you have a chance....catch them at a festival and they'll blow you away!!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wilders are absolutely awesom!, June 16, 2007

By 

anne synott "None" (Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spring a Leak (Audio CD)

I have all their cd's and love every one of them!