The Dang-It Bobbys – Early Riser
The Dang-It Bobbys have a new album Early Riser that’s chock full of bluegrassy, folk based Americana goodness. Initially formed by Brooklyn duo Kris Bauman and Luca Benedetti, the Dang-It Bobbys round out the band with Sam Weber, Danny Fox, Bobby Hawk, with Chris Parker on drums for this project and the result is layers of banjo, soaring harmonies, and enjoyably frenetic deliveries.
The album opens with “Hypocrite,” with heavenly banjo layering with fiddle overriding and for a moment you might think you are with the Bad Livers or John Hartford. The pace is otherwordly and the musicianship is fluid and skilled, and the conclusion is: “An old song is like an old love, staying with you when times get tough, it never feels wrong, but it can me tough, you’re my old song, you’re my old love.”
Melodious banjo launches the next number “Before the Summer” as thoughtful interlude leading to the next song “In the Summer,” when things take a turn toward the nostalgic “Doesn’t matter that we haven’t planned for a thing, But it brings a sad and sudden sting, A melancholy realization, And my how time does fly, In the Summer.” The Dang-It Bobbys find something we all have in common though, in this song “In this town, I think I might’ve found something we can all do together, Drink booze from a paper cup, get stupid while the tide is up to our waists.”
“it’s That Guy” is an entertaining bit introducing “Conservative Man” which serves up a healthy dose of reality: “strange visitor from another reality, conservative man who can bend the truth with his bare hands, and fights a never ending battle for xenophobia.” “Conservative Man” then follows with a funky beat to set up some truth, delivered gently: “He’s convinced himself he’s the real victim here, Conservative Man, afraid of the future taking a stand for the status quo, Open the wound, rip off the suture, his only plan is to tell everyone else no.” The electric guitar solos on this one are less bluegrassy and more country rock, but the banjo is still in the mix.
“One More Day” is a song that is sung to someone you might be losing, wanting to hear stories of a time at war, and hoping not to lose this loved one too soon. This song is piano based and then the banjo kicks in merrily and the form of expression is emotionally honest: “Is it ever a good time, is it ever the right way, I don’t want to be left behind, all I want is just one more day.”
Songs on Early Riser range though perspectives and address themselves to various folks in life: your partner, family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. The Dang-It Bobbys live up to their name after the way Hank Hill speaks to his son Bobby on King of the Hill. There’s a double-edged tone of goading to do better and resigned affection. They’ve traced this vibe though this album in songs that are slices of honest observations of MidWestern and Texan and really all of middle America, and there’s a “going nowhere” thread weaved all throughout the talented display of musicianship.
Find more information here on their website: https://www.thedang-itbobbys.com/
Early Riser was produced by Kris Bauman, and recorded and mixed by Aaron Nevezie at The Bunker Studio, with additional recording by Kris Bauman in Jason’s Toy Closet, Greenwich, CT and Luca Benedetti at Flying Potato Studios, Brooklyn. It was mastered by Alex DeTurk at The Bunker Studio.
Musicians on Early Riser are Kris Bauman on vocals, banjo, clarinet, flute, and acoustic guitar on “In the Summer”; Luca Benedetti (Jim Campilongo) on electric guitar and acoustic guitar except on “In the Summer” Sam Weber on acoustic and electric bass; Bobby Hawk (Taylor Swift, Lorde) on violin; Danny Fox (Emmylou Harris, Bruce Springsteen) on piano and Wurlitzer; Chris Parker on drums and percussion. Vocals on “It’s That Guy” are Danny Fox, Kris Bauman, Luca Benedetti, and Risha Lee.
