First posted on Mark Is Cranky:
Cynicism.
It's tough not to see it nearly everywhere you turn these days. Politicians are in it for the power. Athletes are only in it for the money. Musicians aren't really there for the cause, but to merely stroke their egos. It's as though we've come to believing that sincerity (or at least the appearance of it) is not to be trusted (And remember, this review might be tainted because I've received free CD's, right?).
Well, if you're suffering from that particular malady, get yourself a copy of Waterband. If 16 tunes full of rock, pop, reggae, funk and soul can't loosen your suspicion then maybe there's no hope (for you anyway).
Waterband gets off on the right foot (or should I say "body part"?) by appealing to your butt's natural tendency to shake. That's right, the "back of your front" will be wantin' to move with the funk by way of Sly & the Family Stone that is "Come On".
So Waterband is a funk group? Not so fast. The acoustic, heartfelt love song "Pictures of Me & U" follows. Somehow, I kept thinking it was going to turn into "Monkey Time" (the one with Fee Waybill). It doesn't. Thank you.
As your cynicism begins to melt away, you may find yourself thinking that Waterband is tough to pin down in the 'ole category department...and you would be right. Add in reggae, pop, blues, jazz and full-on rock to the list.
So. Where's the 'center'?
My ear parts say it's "Dreadlock Dave" McDougald's consistently funky bass. From the poppin' opening track to the reggae by way of "Oh Bla Di Oh Bla Da" of "More Than Anything", the basslines are just plain happening. Oh, this doesn't mean that I'm snubbing guitarist Tom Denk or drummer Dave Keen. Far from it. Everyone in this band brings a goodly handful of chops to the scene without wavin' them around, busting the poor little tunes upside the head.
Waterband reminds me of some of the jam bands of yore. The guys who built the foundations of the genre: the Dead, the Allmans, Little Feat. Groups where versatility was key. Right in the middle of all of this funkatude, Waterband tosses out "Wonderful". For a bit, my deja vu chamber kept sayin' "Hey, what was the name of that Mr. Big hit?"...but then the outro blows the thought away with guest vocalist Deb Lewin's snazzy "Great Gig In The Sky"-isms.
I guess what I'm most taken with is the musical and lyrical exuberance. It's just pure, no-filler, no-ulterior motive joy.
This liner note snippet says it all:
- This recording is for you, the friends & family of Waterband.
Inspired by Love, Peace, Happiness, Hope, Friends, Music
Art, Taste Of The Herbs, Fruit Of The Vine
and All The Goodness Life Has To Offer.
This may not be the summer of love, but if you close your eyes...
(Waterband's CD is available at CDBaby.com. Click here to begin washing that cynical film away).
Article comments