!K7

With the release of their first record in five years, Neon Blue Bird, Ollabelle remind us just how stirring the right combination of vocal harmonies can be. Led by Amy Helm, Levon’s daughter, and Jimi Zhivago, this New York-based roots outfit revels in tweaking traditional tunes such as Stephen Foster’s “Swanee River” with hushed grace, eclectic instrumentation and a rich blend of voices. The set is divided evenly between covers and originals. While Ollabelle makes the most of Chris Whitley’s “Dirt Floor” and Taj Mahal’s “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes,” it’s the elegant, witchy blues of Helm’s “Be Your Woman” that claims new ground here. Between the group’s assorted talents and the celebrated lineage of the Helm family name, this band deserves a higher profile on the Americana scene.