You, Me, Everybody, the reigning top Kiwi Bluegrass band, are giving tasters of a forthcoming album, as they lay out their Progressive style.
We are in one of the cradles of Folk music in the country, at the iconic Bunker in Devonport. A museum in itself and kin to the former Wagener private museum on the road to Cape Reinga.
The two brothers Laurence Frangos-Rhodes guitar, and Sam Frangos-Rhodes mandolin and violin, come from the same Waikato home of legends Hamilton County Bluegrass Band.
Nat Torkington (Pipi Pickers) Earl Scruggs-style three finger banjo virtuoso from Leigh. Kim Bonnington, guitar and classic Country voice, and Robert Henderson acoustic bass, both from Wellington.
The brothers are excited about their new single, Heart of Stone. A familiar song title which has always been associated with Country Soul. An early Jagger-Richards composition and a Bakersfield-styled Dwight Yoakam one.
Look in the mirror what do I see/ I see a shadow of what I used to be. A quietly brooding softer song with echoes from the Milk Carton Kids.
They start the show with a new one as well, Misdirection. Slow and steady doesn’t always win the race. Mandolin and banjo breaks kick out early and set the pace.
What is Progressive Bluegrass? One act this band takes inspiration from is another American sibling group Nickel Creek.
Their take on Destination has a folkie style, where the lead vocal of Bonnington comes to the fore with nice Soul phrasing.
The style is not new at all. It’s expansive and drives Bluegrass towards Pop. Hamilton County had it in spades. They took their cue from the Dillards. Add in Jazz licks which were always there from the start.
The origin may be the b-side of Elvis Presley’s first Sun single where he detonates a Monroe classic, Blue Moon of Kentucky. A slow waltz originally, and Monroe paid him the ultimate compliment by immediately adapting to it.
Several tunes from highly regarded debut album Southern Sky.
On the Road and the bass makes the sound of a tuba as it pops and drives the song.
Title song Southern Sky, fast banjo rolls and a mandolin that clucks and alternates with high tone lightning riffs.
Henderson is tossed a Ringo bone and sings a bit on How Many Squirrels. Old Timey and Jazz are there with other elements.
A melancholy violin sets Lazy Gospel in flight, where the singer yearns to be set free.
Bubs and Beautiful is a great showcase for Bonnington’s crystalline Country vocals, ostensibly about mother and daughter shearers. Country Folk, let the waters run peaceful.
Salt Creek is classic fast-paced rolling and tumbling Bluegrass, and the bass takes Jazz solo.
A guitar strum opens Stranger, familiar as bright Americana with some ominous tones, as was featured on the Netflix drama Sweet Tooth (filmed in New Zealand).
The encore demand and it is White Freightliner Blues, which may be a Townes Van Zandt- penned song. High mandolin breaks and the bass plays the riff off the Bailey Brothers Happy Valley Special
You, Me, Everybody are touring the country to preface and promote their new material. Which means the album is forthcoming. The Bunker was a great showcase.
Rev. Orange Peel
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