Breaking New Ground, ... Again!
Richard Gould | San Francisco | 04/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Waybacks are simply astonishing. If there is a band with more chops than The Waybacks, I have not heard them yet. "Loaded," like the band's three previous studio releases, continues to surprise, delight and take the listener to new musical places. The virtusosity of James Nash's guitar & mandolin playing and Warren Hood's fiddle work give you the feeling that there is simply nothing that they can not do with these instruments. Warren Hood's "dreamy" vocals fall somewhere among Harry Connick, Rick Nelson, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones, if that is possible, and it is! In live performances, Warren has every female's undivided attention after the first thirty seconds of his solos.
Unlike The Waybacks other releases, which were at least 60% instrumental, "Loaded" has one instrumental track, with the rest of the CD being "song driven." The virtuosity of their playing is used to propel each song, rather than simply dazzle, which it does without breaking a sweat.
There is not a weak track on "Loaded." As always, The Waybacks are virtually impossible to categorize and pigeon-hole into any one genre of musical styles. This CD has: Cajun, Blues, Celtic, Folk, Country, Road House Boogie, Texas Swing, Rock, Classical/Gypsy Jazz, and Americana. ALL GREAT. There is not one Bluegrass cut on the entire CD. And yet, The Waybacks continue to be grouped in the Americana/Bluegrass category by the music industry.
What is a music industry executive to do?
The only thing The Waybacks need is a Clive Davis or Live Nation to solve the "categorization" challenge and market The Waybacks to a broader audience, not just the Americana/Bluegrass listener.
I have yet to meet anyone who after seeing The Waybacks perform live doesn't say, "That is one of the best bands I have ever heard.""
Creative, Talented & Fun!
Steven R. Struck | Philadelphia, PA | 04/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The new CD by the Waybacks, Loaded, is superb and full of creative, interesting and fun songs by extremely talented musicians. The group uses various acoustic and electric instruments masterfully, especially guitar and fiddle. The lyrics tell wonderful stories, and the singing and harmonies grab you right from the opening song "City Boy", a tale about an enthusiastic city guy who discovers he feels right at home by a riverbank:
Looking out from the riverbank
All that I can see
Muddy water rushing by
Let it wash all over me ...
Sometimes the world just opens up
And welcomes you right in
The glimpses of your distant dreams
Are now the places where you've been
And I'm not the kind who likes to brag
But I think I've found my home
Drifting farther from the shore
Never more to roam
This CD is very diverse and all the songs are memorable and leave you wanting to sing along. Other wonderful songs include the foot-stomping "Tired of Being Right", the sea-shanty song "Beyond the Northwest Passage", "Loaded" (tale of a man's unfortunate decision to stop at bar instead of heading straight home), and the comical and clever "Conjugal Visit".
This CD cannot be categorized into just one or two styles of music, and therein lies the beauty of this recording .... excellent musicianship, entertaining and clever songs, fun and interesting lyrics, smooth harmonies .... a winner in every way! Highly recommended!"