LEWIS BROTHERS – FOLK & CAMP FIRE SONGS
2012 – Wi-Fi Records
3***
An album that contains a fair sprinkling of songs that hold more appeal for children than adults would not usually get a listen from me, despite the fact that most songs are traditional. Particularly as one of those songs, Lily the Pink, is a song that I dislike more than just about any song I’ve ever heard. This is probably because it was
such a huge hit for that much derided (at least by me!) 1960s band, The Scaffold. I still don’t see how it was such a huge hit, even after the passing of nearly five decades. Of course, a few individual songs have run it close (Jack Jones pathetic attempt at Lying Eyes, for one, Madonna’s American Pie also comes to mind …….. unfortunately!) but I have never heard a version of this song that I have failed to loathe.(at least that makes me consistent!) I think what attracted me in the end was that there are also some traditional songs that I know well and like, so I’m pleased to say I’ve now listened to this, on the whole very good, album on numerous occasions, always trying to avoid you know which song!
I was unfamiliar with this band who are now working on their third album, this one consisting of their own original material, having got this album of covers‘out of their system.’ I’ve yet to hear their debut album so really don’t know how good or bad that was. I suspect on the strength of their excellent playing and lead vocals plus their at times quite extraordinary harmonies that it would have been pretty good!
The band is made up of three brothers plus a friend, Dennis Foreman who helps out with vocals as well as drums and percussion. All three brothers handle vocals and ‘doghouse’ bass and are Russell P. Lewis on banjo and jaw harp, Richard Lewis, guitar, tenor banjo and ukulele and Jeffro Lewis on mandolin and guitar, although I understand that during recording as well as live there is much exchanging of instruments! Their sound on record is added to by Jason Cochenour on fiddle and John K. Victor on harmonica. The instrumentation listed above gives some idea of the sound you are likely to hear but added to this are excellent lead vocals and some absolutely sublime harmonies. In fact the singing actually takes the attention away from some excellent instrumentation and playing, such is the quality of the vocals.
All but three of the songs are traditional with those three being ‘MTA’ by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes, ‘Poison Ivy’ by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and ‘Outdoor Type’ by Tom Morgan. The album was recorded live in the studio with just a few overdubs and produced by Robert Fugate. This in itself lets the listener know that the quality of musicianship and commitment is high, with many recordings nowadays being ‘built’ rather than performed as this band are skilful enough to do. I’m guessing they would be a pretty good band to see live as well. The songs that are predominately for kids, such as Ten In The Bed and album opener It’s A Lie, are hardly essential listening but the quality of singing, playing and the general performance can’t be argued with. On the other hand, the traditional Old Joe Clark, despite being recorded by countless different artists has rarely been done better and really does evoke the ‘hillbillies’ of old. Eerie Canal is another atmospheric song with a nice mellow harmonica and Froggie Went Courtin’ is an old folk song that many have recorded and whilst this is not particularly original it is beautifully sung and played with some really nice banjo.
Whilst some of the songs appear to be at best inessential, if not poorly chosen, they obviously have some meaning to the brothers and I applaud the fact that they were determined to get it out of their system. As already stated, the albums saving grace is the excellent playing and the tremendous vocals and several excellent versions of ‘classics’which lifts this recording into the ‘very good’ category. I’m really looking forward to their next album though!
http://lewisbrothersband.com/
3***
An album that contains a fair sprinkling of songs that hold more appeal for children than adults would not usually get a listen from me, despite the fact that most songs are traditional. Particularly as one of those songs, Lily the Pink, is a song that I dislike more than just about any song I’ve ever heard. This is probably because it was
such a huge hit for that much derided (at least by me!) 1960s band, The Scaffold. I still don’t see how it was such a huge hit, even after the passing of nearly five decades. Of course, a few individual songs have run it close (Jack Jones pathetic attempt at Lying Eyes, for one, Madonna’s American Pie also comes to mind …….. unfortunately!) but I have never heard a version of this song that I have failed to loathe.(at least that makes me consistent!) I think what attracted me in the end was that there are also some traditional songs that I know well and like, so I’m pleased to say I’ve now listened to this, on the whole very good, album on numerous occasions, always trying to avoid you know which song!
I was unfamiliar with this band who are now working on their third album, this one consisting of their own original material, having got this album of covers‘out of their system.’ I’ve yet to hear their debut album so really don’t know how good or bad that was. I suspect on the strength of their excellent playing and lead vocals plus their at times quite extraordinary harmonies that it would have been pretty good!
The band is made up of three brothers plus a friend, Dennis Foreman who helps out with vocals as well as drums and percussion. All three brothers handle vocals and ‘doghouse’ bass and are Russell P. Lewis on banjo and jaw harp, Richard Lewis, guitar, tenor banjo and ukulele and Jeffro Lewis on mandolin and guitar, although I understand that during recording as well as live there is much exchanging of instruments! Their sound on record is added to by Jason Cochenour on fiddle and John K. Victor on harmonica. The instrumentation listed above gives some idea of the sound you are likely to hear but added to this are excellent lead vocals and some absolutely sublime harmonies. In fact the singing actually takes the attention away from some excellent instrumentation and playing, such is the quality of the vocals.
All but three of the songs are traditional with those three being ‘MTA’ by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes, ‘Poison Ivy’ by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and ‘Outdoor Type’ by Tom Morgan. The album was recorded live in the studio with just a few overdubs and produced by Robert Fugate. This in itself lets the listener know that the quality of musicianship and commitment is high, with many recordings nowadays being ‘built’ rather than performed as this band are skilful enough to do. I’m guessing they would be a pretty good band to see live as well. The songs that are predominately for kids, such as Ten In The Bed and album opener It’s A Lie, are hardly essential listening but the quality of singing, playing and the general performance can’t be argued with. On the other hand, the traditional Old Joe Clark, despite being recorded by countless different artists has rarely been done better and really does evoke the ‘hillbillies’ of old. Eerie Canal is another atmospheric song with a nice mellow harmonica and Froggie Went Courtin’ is an old folk song that many have recorded and whilst this is not particularly original it is beautifully sung and played with some really nice banjo.
Whilst some of the songs appear to be at best inessential, if not poorly chosen, they obviously have some meaning to the brothers and I applaud the fact that they were determined to get it out of their system. As already stated, the albums saving grace is the excellent playing and the tremendous vocals and several excellent versions of ‘classics’which lifts this recording into the ‘very good’ category. I’m really looking forward to their next album though!
http://lewisbrothersband.com/