Though Dirk Powell may be best known in Louisiana for being one of the founding members of Cajun band Balfa Toujours, he has had a long and varied career. Most recently, his collaboration with Rhiannon Giddens has earned him new accolades as an in-demand sideman and producer including a great performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2016 that brought the house down.
On his latest album, When I Wait For You, his first since 2014, Powell explores the connections between roots Americana music and the folk music of British Isles. He brought several British musicians to his studio on the banks of Bayou Teche to create compelling music that sounds universal.
Powell wrote twelve of the thirteen songs on the album and he plays guitar, fiddle, bass, piano and keyboards and sings in his distinctive voice. The album teems with lilting strings, subtle harmonic touches, and tender backing vocals. Giddens plays viola and minstrel banjo and adds backing vocals on three tracks including the intimate and wistful childhood recollection “Say Old Playmate.”
Over the course of his career, Dirk Powell has recorded and toured with Eric Clapton, Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, Jack White, Loretta Lynn and many others. His work in film, including Cold Mountain, found him collaborating with producers including T Bone Burnett, and directors like Anthony Minghella and Ang Lee.
