REVIEW: Continental Drifters “Best of the Continental Drifters – White Noise & Lightning”

Continental Drifters – Best of the Continental Drifters – White Noise & Lightning

Now I’m old enough to remember enjoying some of the music by The Cowsills way back in the 60s. A far better musical family than the Partridge Family without the comedy. And I instinctively said to my 15-year-old self – this band could be as good as the Mamas & Papas with a folky rock toast like The Byrds with a Peter, Paul & Mary smear — if they just had the material & let go of the sweetness that permeated their good pop hit singles.

Then I heard years later (1991) that the Continental Drifters was a group that included Susan Cowsill (acoustic guitar/vocals/bgv). Who? Cowsill? And I was grinning from ear to ear when I heard their albums. And it was a magic that was consistent. The thrill went deeper when I learned Peter Holsapple (North Carolina’s The dBs/vocals/bgv/keys/acoustic guitar/accordion) was involved as well. There’s the pop edge I’d been hoping for & he brought it.

One only needs to spin Best of the Continental Drifters – White Noise & Lightning (Drops Sept 13/Omnivore/65:04) produced by Peter with Cheryl Pawelski to hear the diversification & delightful music this band ignites from a single match like “The Rain Song,” originally from their 1998 “Vermillion” LP to the bonfire that spreads throughout this 15-song collection.

The songs are written with melodic exuberance & lyrical sharpness. The vocals are shared & varied so there are no lulls, no mediocrity, or pulp. There are 10 drifters in this band the songwriting is shared to add to the variety.

This showcase features tasty samples from 5 albums the band issued from 1998 through 2001. Meanwhile, for the uninitiated, this set will whet the appetite. If you take your John Hiatt music light then Peter’s “Invisible Boyfriend,” will satisfy that urge.

What makes this music even more ingratiating is the wonderful arrangements & skill of the musicians. It shines on tunes like “Match Made In Heaven” & the rockier “The Mississippi” & “Mixed Messages.” A misty blend of Little Feat & The Band is applied generously & is impressive.

This isn’t a band that goes down as a less calorie lite beer – some songs are melodic liqueurs & others will put you under the table (“Na, Na”) is a good rocker.

Highlights – “The Rain Song,” “Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway,” “Dallas,” “Invisible Boyfriend,” “Match Made In Heaven,” “The Mississippi,” “Get Over It,” “Mixed Messages,” “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be” & “Na, Na.”

Musicians – The Dream Syndicate’s Mark Walton (bass/acoustic guitar/vocals), Russ Broussard (drums/frottoir), the late Carlo Nuccio (drums), Robert Mache, Gary Eaton (guitars/vocals), the Bangles’ Vicki Peterson (guitar/vocal/bgv), Ray Ganucheau (guitar/vocal), Danny McGough (piano) with Miranda Victoria Cowsill Holsapple, Andre, Dana & Jonathan Walton, Mary & Nicholas Broussard & the Drifters (vocals/tambourines), Dana Walton & Mary Broussard (guest vocals).

Cover photo by Julia Ewen. 12pp stitched insert included. CD @ Amazon + https://www.continentaldriftersbook.com/ & https://continentaldrifters.com/