Search - Sim Redmond Band :: Good Thoughts

Tip of an iceberg, but warm

mr_fishscales | Rochester, New York | 12/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Sim Redmond Band has two other albums. The one before this one is called "The Things We Will Keep" and the latest one is "Life Is Water". "Good Thoughts" represents a transition between the more driving, melodic sound of the first album and the mellower, groove-based sound of the third. As such, it may be the best of both worlds (although each is equally wonderful in its own way).Generally speaking Sim is the rhythm guitarist and Jordan Aceto is the lead, but when they begin to stretch out and jam (particularly in concert) they start playing twin lead with the melodies intertwining in sometimes arresting ways. I suppose this is the cause of the reference to the Allman Brothers in another review here, but whereas the Allmans were blues-based, SRB draws heavily from the Zairean tradition of the eastern part of Africa,. This includes tuning their guitars in intervals that may be unfamiliar to a lot of people and may be the cause for the comment in another review that the music "all sounds the same after a while".The overall effect of this music is to make you feel good, but it isn't sentimental. In fact a few of the songs are about not feeling very good at all (especially Uniit Carruyo's "Holes In the Ground"), but the warmth of the music and the sincerity of the vocals leaves you with the feeling that everything is going to be OK, even if everyone is not happy-happy all the time. In sum, this is music with integrity and intelligence but not the least bit angry, which seems to be sorely lacking in a lot of pop music today.Uniit Carruyo is an important part of the band's sound and seems to be contributing progressively more musically with each album. She has her very own way of phrasing, bending and stretching syllables, adding and subtracting roughness from her voice. She has a solo album that is well worth searching for.The last word should belong to the rhythm section in this band: Asa Redmond on drums and Dan Merwin on bass. (I guess the presence of Asa may account for the Allman comparisons too.) Asa is nothing short of amazing and has obviously studied African percussion with a certain amount of zeal and reverence. Merwin is just plain locked into the beat.Buy this album and definitely go see them play live. You will be in a good mood for days."

I love this disc!

Bruce J. Morton | Rochester, NY United States | 03/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got turned on to SRB at last year's GrassRoots Festival in Trumansburg. I've been listening to Good Thoughts ever since, and it never gets old. Sort of a cross between Paul Simon's Graceland and Jimmy Cliff, this is the freshest set of feel good grooves I've heard in a long time. The disc is filled with soulful, infectious, world beat-flavored folk rock, featuring rich warm vocals from Sim Redmond and Uniit Carrayo, great writing, and rock-solid instrumentals all the way around. Sim and lead guitarist Jordan Aceto complement each other beautifully, trading tasty licks throughout, and the rhythm section is incredibly tight. My personal favorites are Arms Around the Sun, Trouble's Comin', and Holes in the Ground, but there's not a weak track to be found. The only criticism I have is that the tunes tend to sound a little similar after awhile, but the sound is so pleasant and catchy that it's never tiresome. Listening to this CD gives me a glow like a perfect day at the beach. Having seen them put on a killer show in Rochester just last week, I can attest that this band is a real creative force. Their sparkling jams and memorable tunes will hook you in and keep you dancing. Rock on, SRB!"