Worcester Music Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
NJS.com -> Not Just Sauce Forum -> Audio & Video Reviews -> Riverbanks (CD Compilation)
Post Info TOPIC: Riverbanks (CD Compilation)
The Loud Speaker


Active Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Date:
RE: Riverbanks (CD Compilation)
Permalink   

The Riverbanks CD, which is a compendium of acoustic artists from the Severn & Wye Valley areas, was released on 16th August 2009 at The Old Rectifying House. It is possibly one of the finest collections of acoustic artists from the two counties ever assembled on a single CD and  Sawmill/Steelmill Records must be congratulated for their efforts.....

Riverbanks is a sixteen track CD with the sole purpose of raising money for The County Air Ambulance Trust and the £5 cover price of the CD is possibly the best value contribution you will make this year to a worthy cause you wont be disappointed!

If you are a regular patron or performer at many of our local gig venues, many of the names on the Riverbanks CD will be familiar to you. Indeed, as you give the CD a spin on whatever player you choose to use, the songs will be familiar and you will be whisked back to the place and venue that the songs were first heard. Ah yes... Pot Luck by The Players takes me back to when I first met the trio at The Prancing Pony, La Lune et La Mer returns me to The Island Bar in Birmingham where I first saw Bombdog and so it goes on.....

All your acoustic favourites are on the Riverbanks CD. As well as The Players and Bombdog, there is George Clarke, Jimm Zorn, The Ragged Crows, Jez Mort, Philip Butler etc, Admiral Daydream & the Stolen Souvenirs, Dom Huxley, Johnny Kowalski, David Ian Roberts, Andi Skellam, The Worrisome Ankletrout, Matt Woosey and the Strange Rain and Ragtime Ewan of course. All fine musicians and all brilliant songwriters.

Nevertheless there are two tracks on Riverbanks that to be fair, really stand out for me; and unlike those artists I have listed and I have seen at one time or another; I must confess I am yet to meet Ruby Stone and Dom Huxley. But if Jericho Lane by Ruby Stone and All I got by Dom Huxley are representative of what these two performers have to offer us lesser mortals, then Im looking out for their next local gigs.  Indeed, both performers deliver in style on Riverbanks.

You could say that it is a bit unfortunate that the launch of Riverbanks by Sawmill/Steelmill was over-shadowed by the release of the three Now Thats What I Call Sauce CDs for the Worcester Music Festival, but when the noise finally settles after the festival has been and gone, Riverbanks will be there for all to enjoy ! Please buy this CD; itll be the best £5 you have spent all year!

Keep the faith,

The Abbot



__________________
Chris


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 126
Date:
Permalink   

riverbanks2.jpg

 

Riverbanks is a release from Sawmill Steelmill records of 16 acoustic artists from the Severn and WyeForest areas.

It is an amazing mix of the heartfelt and passionate vocals of George Clarke (Where the Grass is Tall) and Jimm Zorn (Traces) to the beat poet blues offerings of Ragtime Ewan (Henpeckers grind) and eastern influenced track by the ever talented The Worrisome Ankletrout (Bogwoppit.)

I was quite taken with the voice of Ruby Stone whos rough yet sweet vocals draw you into the wonderful lyrics of Jericho Lane

Andi Skellam provides a bit of downbeat (but melodic and uplifting at the same time) tune (Chase Your Tune) while Bombdog offer some quite amazing melodies. No lyrics but using the female voice as another atmospheric instrument. Quite fantastic.

A couple of folky numbers from The Ragged Crows and Johnny Kowalski. a bit of a surprise from him as I always imagined him to be more punk/rock. Not sure why but I  really liked it. Dom Huxley plodded along with his country(ish) All I Got followed by the gaffer of the record label Philip Butler etc with a superb number  called Rising River, joined on accordion and vocals by the wonderful Natasha Tranter and a guest appearance by the Llama Lounges Holly Jeffory. These guys have talent.

I have seen Jez Mort around the area for years, but never really listened to his stuff (sorry Jez). He recently gave me his album and I have to say that I love it. The track For Want of A Lifeboat is a good example of what this guy can do, but is 10 track CD is simply a must to listen to. He is joined by John Joe Murrey (Worrisome Ankletrout) on fiddle, who seems to the most featured artists on this CD as, along with his own track, also appears with Johnny Kowalski.

Admiral Daydream offers a fantastic insight in to his solo work (as apposed to his work with The Dandelion Killers). Great song writing  from this multi instrumentalist.

David Ian Roberts is a new name to me but he has the ability to wow you with his laid back vocals and fantastically sublime guitar work on Cascading. Almost makes you feel like lying on the grass, looking up at the clouds and wishing you were as good as he was.

Pot Luck by The Players is a fine example of the song writing ability of Paul Jeffery and the band while Matt Woosey and The Strange rain conclude this CD with Neon To Wood. This 3 piece outfit have been gigging over the country extensively for over a year and their tightness and musicianship is as good as it gets. 

If you get a chance to buy this album, you will not be sorry, plus all profits from its sale go to the County Air Ambulance. Its only a fiver, so get yours. www.sawmillsteelmill.co.uk 

 

 

 



-- Edited by Chris on Sunday 6th of September 2009 05:48:38 PM

__________________

NOT JUST SAUCE
Gig Guide, Forum and News Site for Worcester (UK)

 chris@notjustsauce.co.uk 07792 224639 

www.notjustsauce.co.uk     www.twitter.com/notjustsauce

www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk   www.myspace.com/notjustsauce

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
NJS.com -> Not Just Sauce Forum -> Audio & Video Reviews -> Riverbanks (CD Compilation)
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard