FURNACE MOUNTAIN – THE ROAD TO BERRYVILLE
2012 – Self Released
4****
It would be so easy to believe these recordings were made in the 1920s or 30s were it not for the clarity and lack of crackles and pops. Such is the feeling this tremendous album of old timey music evokes, particularly as there is never the sensation that this highly skilled foursome are merely trying to copy the music of eight or so decades ago. This is real old time folk music brought up to date, made evidentby the fact that half the tracks are traditional whilst the remainder are written by either members of the band or artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Chris Luedecke, (Old Man Luedecke) Jason Molina and Nathan Moore (Brother Beyond). Although there is that feeling that they are following the tradition of American folk/country music set down for all to hear in the early days of commercial recording, this is very much a 21st century updating that whilst it is true to the tradition takes into account the fact that since the early recordings the thread of the music has had the best part of a hundred years to gestate.
This extraordinary band of musicians consists of Aimee Curl on bass and vocals, Danny Knicely, mandolin and fiddle, Dave Van Deventer, fiddle and Morgan Morrison on Bouzouki, guitar and vocals. Some of the band have been playing together since 1995 and all grew up on or
around Furnace Mountain, Virginia. Despite the instrumental virtuosity the sound is always economical and never overdone, allowing the listener to hear just how good this band is and allowing the songs and vocals to breath. Aimee has an unusual breathiness to her vocals ensuring she stands out from the crowd but also has a distinctive old timey tone to her voice that is almost impossible to replicate, giving her and the band a huge advantage with this style of music. The fact that Morgan is also a superb vocalist does no harm and ensures their harmonies are almost a match made in heavan! With Knicely reckoned to be among the top half dozen mandolin players on earth, and with Deventers tremendous fiddle playing adding further character their adavantages are plain for all toh ear.
There are instrumentals as well as vocals and their signature sound is dominated by the
beautiful female lead vocals and harmonies that despite their beauty have enough edginess to avoid falling into the bland perfection so beloved of many of the bigger record companies. It is that edge as well as the old timey instrumentation, song choice and incredible playing that gives this album an atmosphere that can only be created by people who feel the music and have the freedom to pursue their chosen style. Not that this style is probably ‘chosen’ by this tremendous band. They probably can’t help but follow their muse and play the music that is virtually in their blood and has been for several generations.
Album opener Barney, is a beautiful mid tempo traditional song on which the two women exchange lead vocals on the verses and their beautiful harmonies on the chorus, all driven along by some incredible fiddle and mandolin playing. On the traditional two parter Virginia Girls/Sandy Boys you have the best of both worlds with the former having those beautiful vocals again and the latter being an instrumental on which Deventers extraordinary fiddle playing is given full rein. This is followed by the six minute two parter The Crow on the Cradle/ The Road to Berryville. The first part is a well known traditional, sad mournful song that is given even more atmosphere and power by the womens incredibly evocative vocals, joined to the Deventer penned instrumental, this time on which Knicely’s incredible mandolin playing at times almost takes the breath away, equally well supported by the fiddle. Dylan’s I want you could almost have been written for female harmonies, such is the feeling they impart to this much recorded song. Everything that follows has the same quality, not only showing the bands incredible music virtuosity but also their mastery of the traditional style and their ability to blend old and new songs of differing styles into an album that has their stamp of individuality and feeling.
Anyone that has any love for, or a longing to hear how traditional music has developed should buy this album. It is as far from the commercial ‘country music’ as it is possible to be whilst remaining in the same genre! Of course, the old timey authenticity may put a few people off and it may be ‘too traitional’ for some but the overall quality of a tremendous band at the peak of their powers is what should and in all probability will appeal to most listeners!
http://furnacemountain.com
4****
It would be so easy to believe these recordings were made in the 1920s or 30s were it not for the clarity and lack of crackles and pops. Such is the feeling this tremendous album of old timey music evokes, particularly as there is never the sensation that this highly skilled foursome are merely trying to copy the music of eight or so decades ago. This is real old time folk music brought up to date, made evidentby the fact that half the tracks are traditional whilst the remainder are written by either members of the band or artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Chris Luedecke, (Old Man Luedecke) Jason Molina and Nathan Moore (Brother Beyond). Although there is that feeling that they are following the tradition of American folk/country music set down for all to hear in the early days of commercial recording, this is very much a 21st century updating that whilst it is true to the tradition takes into account the fact that since the early recordings the thread of the music has had the best part of a hundred years to gestate.
This extraordinary band of musicians consists of Aimee Curl on bass and vocals, Danny Knicely, mandolin and fiddle, Dave Van Deventer, fiddle and Morgan Morrison on Bouzouki, guitar and vocals. Some of the band have been playing together since 1995 and all grew up on or
around Furnace Mountain, Virginia. Despite the instrumental virtuosity the sound is always economical and never overdone, allowing the listener to hear just how good this band is and allowing the songs and vocals to breath. Aimee has an unusual breathiness to her vocals ensuring she stands out from the crowd but also has a distinctive old timey tone to her voice that is almost impossible to replicate, giving her and the band a huge advantage with this style of music. The fact that Morgan is also a superb vocalist does no harm and ensures their harmonies are almost a match made in heavan! With Knicely reckoned to be among the top half dozen mandolin players on earth, and with Deventers tremendous fiddle playing adding further character their adavantages are plain for all toh ear.
There are instrumentals as well as vocals and their signature sound is dominated by the
beautiful female lead vocals and harmonies that despite their beauty have enough edginess to avoid falling into the bland perfection so beloved of many of the bigger record companies. It is that edge as well as the old timey instrumentation, song choice and incredible playing that gives this album an atmosphere that can only be created by people who feel the music and have the freedom to pursue their chosen style. Not that this style is probably ‘chosen’ by this tremendous band. They probably can’t help but follow their muse and play the music that is virtually in their blood and has been for several generations.
Album opener Barney, is a beautiful mid tempo traditional song on which the two women exchange lead vocals on the verses and their beautiful harmonies on the chorus, all driven along by some incredible fiddle and mandolin playing. On the traditional two parter Virginia Girls/Sandy Boys you have the best of both worlds with the former having those beautiful vocals again and the latter being an instrumental on which Deventers extraordinary fiddle playing is given full rein. This is followed by the six minute two parter The Crow on the Cradle/ The Road to Berryville. The first part is a well known traditional, sad mournful song that is given even more atmosphere and power by the womens incredibly evocative vocals, joined to the Deventer penned instrumental, this time on which Knicely’s incredible mandolin playing at times almost takes the breath away, equally well supported by the fiddle. Dylan’s I want you could almost have been written for female harmonies, such is the feeling they impart to this much recorded song. Everything that follows has the same quality, not only showing the bands incredible music virtuosity but also their mastery of the traditional style and their ability to blend old and new songs of differing styles into an album that has their stamp of individuality and feeling.
Anyone that has any love for, or a longing to hear how traditional music has developed should buy this album. It is as far from the commercial ‘country music’ as it is possible to be whilst remaining in the same genre! Of course, the old timey authenticity may put a few people off and it may be ‘too traitional’ for some but the overall quality of a tremendous band at the peak of their powers is what should and in all probability will appeal to most listeners!
http://furnacemountain.com