Fiddler player Amy Farris dead at 40

Author: admin

30 Sep

Amy Farris, 40, an Austin fiddle player, who most recently toured with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, died this past weekend. No cause of death was cited in news reports. Farris was found at her residence in Los Angeles.

Farris played with such artists as Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, Alejandro Escovedo, Ray Price and Brian Wilson. Farris performed on two Lillith Fair tours in Willis’ band. Alvin produced her 2003 solo LP “Anyway.”

On her Twitter page, Willis said, “My dear sweet friend Amy Farris died over the weekend. Together we weren’t exactly fearless..but we did it anyway. I’m devastated.”

Farris was slated to play Friday with the Guilty Women at San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

CD reviews for Amy Farris
Austin fiddler Amy Farris already has an impressive resume, having recorded and toured with such notables as Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, Tish Hinojosa, Alejandro Escovedo and Ray Price. With this solo debut release Farris appears ready to step out front.

Farris is at ease with many musicals styles. “Undecided” and “Hard to Say” display a jazz influence, while “My Heart’s Too Easy To Break” has a bluesy feel. “Pretty Dresses” recalls the sound of Skeeter Davis’ early sixties country work, and the title track has a Leslie Gore sixties pop feel.

Farris proves to be a strong songwriter with “No Exit”, “Let Go” and “Heading West” as well as on a trio of tunes co-written with producer Dave Alvin. There are also some well chosen covers including Robison’s “Drivin’ All Night Long” and the X tune “Poor Little Girl.” This is an impressive debut effort that reveals Farris to be quite deserving of the spotlight.

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