THE 23 STRING BAND

bangin' and clangin'

2014-03-26

Guitar (6 strings) + banjo (5) + mandolin (8) + fiddle (4) + bass (4) = 27 strings, but I think they're counting the mandolin as only 4. Also they use a Barry Dudley 5-string violin, but who's counting? There are also drums and horns. This is fun, fast, and bouncy bluegrass, but St. James Infirmary should not be played fast and bouncy. Five songs on this EP, and I recommend the other four..

From the promo sheet: "Fiery, soul stirring bluegrass, beautifully round-around-the-edges old time and a homespun folk heart pulled from mountain hollows are all sewn into the sound.... The 23 String Band plays fun, fuel-injected, original American that weaves across the lanes of modern acoustic music. It's a bluegrass attack fueled by high-octane rock-n-roll energy and triple-distilled old-timey roots. Your feet hurt from dancing; your face hurts from grinning."

--Gerald Etkind

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Basia Bulat
    Oh My Darling

  • reviewed 01/2015

    BROTHER ADAMS
    Almost Alive at Front Street

  • reviewed 11/2010

    RAUL MALO
    SINNERS & SAINTS

  • reviewed 01/2006

    JOEL ARANT
    To Whom it may Behoove

  • reviewed 05/2010

    AJ Downing and The Buick 6
    Way Back Home

  • reviewed 05/2008

    Spencer Mulder
    On The Way

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.