DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS

Days Between Stations is the creative partnership between guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes. The duo came together in Los Angeles in November 2003, and named the band after the 1985 novel by Steve Erickson. The band’s sound – Samzadeh calls it “art-rock,” Fuentes labels it “post-prog” – reflects their varied influences, as well as a shared disregard for stylistic boundaries... more

BILLY SHERWOOD

We are much honored this month to have Billy Sherwood (CIRCA:, former YES) as our interview guest. He just released his new CD titled "At The Speed Of Life". Currently, beside his solo projects he is one of the members of the band CIRCA:, formed by ex-YES members Tony Kaye and Alan White, along with Jimmy Haun. They released their first solo album in 2007, followed in 2008 by a live DVD. They are currently in the studio working on their second solo CD...more

Kate BUSH / Never For Ever

1980‘s “Never For Ever” is Kate’s 3rd album. The album was co-produced by Jon Kelly & Kate herself. One of the most interesting things about this album is that it is the first record by a British female artist to top the UK album charts. (Wikipedia). Kate’s progressive approach to music reaches its peak with Never For Ever. She tastefully blends different genres including folk, oriental, rock, classical and jazz. Unlike her first two albums which she wrote on piano, this one was written on synths... more

BAWN IN THE MASH / Hurry Up And Wait

Bawn In The Mash is a progressive bluegrass band from Paducah, KY. The band is formed by 5 musicians: Nathan Blake Lynn (vocals, guitar), Thomas B. Oliverio (Mandolin, vocals), Josh Coffey (violin, viola, mandolin, vocals), Alex Faught (banjo, vocals), Eddie Coffey (upright bass, resophonic guitar). They also have a drummer who plays with them as a special guest, Brey McCoy. On this album they included two more special guests: Donnie Herron (Bob Dylan), and Tyler Grand (Drew Emmitt).

Hurry Up And Wait is the band’s second album after “Welcome to the Atomic City” that they released in 2006. This new album has 16 songs. Bawn In The Mash is one of the most progressive bluegrass bands, and here is why…. First of all, their songwriting. They use different time signatures in some of their songs just a like a progressive rock band does. “Little Piece of Paper”, the opening song is the best example to this. It starts just like a bluegrass song, but towards the middle there are interesting time changes and not only that but, the melody becomes an eastern European tune suddenly; especially with the violin solo. It all wraps up in the end just like it started, as a bluegrass piece, I found it very interesting. There are a few other songs like this on the album, like, “Montana Slim”, “The Thing Of It Is”…. And the song “Down The Road” with Josh’s violin solo becomes psychedelic.

Psychedelic approach is actually very heavy in Hurry Up and Wait, especially in the songs written and performed by Josh Coffey. “Helpless”, “George The Whale” and “Montana Slim” are the songs he does lead vocals on, and he sounds like late 60’s acid folk singers. When I saw them live this past July, he did “Breathe” by Pink Floyd, so I knew they were into this kind of music, and actually, this was the very first time I had seen a bluegrass band perform a Pink Floyd song. It was indeed different.

The band also likes 50’s style rock and roll and often uses it in songs like “Down The Road” and “Huey Lewis and the Blues”. The different genres don’t stop here actually, they sound very jazzy sometimes, especially at the end of Montana Slim. Blues is another noticeable genre on the CD. “Black Mountain” and “Heady Daze” are two of those songs.

Four of the band members do lead vocals on different songs, but I found Nathan’s vocals more original. He can switch from bluegrass to blues, from ragga (not reggae) to rock and roll. “Max’s Travels” is one of those songs, and it is very fun to listen to him sing.

When I opened the album cover, one thing immediately caught my attention. It is very unusual for a bluegrass band to call the “fiddle” “violin”, because of the different style of playing, not that technically there is a difference. As I started listening to each song, I began to think that may be it was intentional, because, when you hear some crazy violin solos that sound very jazzy or classical sometimes, you start to make sense out of it. Of course Donnie Herron’s influence is obvious.

Besides the drums and percussions, the band uses a lot of different instruments, like, harmonica, viola, electric mandolin, resophonic guitar, electric bass, trumpet and electric guitar. On one song, “Heady Daze” they use both electric and upright bass, and on “Big Pappa Reel” there is double fiddle fiesta.

Bawn In The Mash, is not a regular progressive bluegrass band. They apparently have rock and jazz background as well, and they reflect it professionally into their work both live and in the studio. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them play at a rock festival actually. They are fun to listen, and fun to watch onstage. It is obvious that they put a lot of effort on their new album. You can see them play anywhere around Midwest throughout the year. If you are looking for a rugged yet sophisticated jam band, I would recommend you to buy this CD, you won’t regret it.

Hande BURDG