Remedy Tree – Beyond What I Can See
This is basically an upbeat bluegrass album with excellent instrumentation & mild vocalizing that intertwines nicely with the material. It’s not a retro-sounding showcase. These musicians have applied a generous number of mainstream elements respective of the genre, but keeping in mind they have to appeal to younger ears.
The 10 tunes that explore Beyond What I Can See (Drops Sept 12/Mountain Fever Records/32:17) were produced by Aaron Ramsey & recorded at Mountain Fever Studios in Willis, VA. For some, it may be too rural sounding, front porch music with lemonade, not whiskey, & a hound dog at your feet. So, what’s the matter with that? Not all good music requires a heavy approach with messages, meanings & pontificating. This is a tonic music – the title track “Beyond What I Can See” starts with bright sounds & “Adaline” continues the tradition.
If the vocals aren’t powerful enough for your taste, the instrumentation will lasso your ears. “Let Her Know” features the fiddle of Jason Carter (on 5 tunes). Fiery & exciting. The kind of tune that would motivate a bedridden person to rise & dance. Lots of acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmony & banjo all mixed into a dish of accomplished quality.
There’s lots of hard cider in some of these tunes & in others a touch of hooch. All done with finesse & skill. This material bristles with rhythm & more often than not is as good as too many pulls on the jug. “Every Second We’re Apart” is rollicking fun. Just when the male vocals start to test your ears, a beautiful “Winter & Spring” & “Troubadour” with the light-as-a-feather vocal of Abigail Acevedo (vocals/bass), paints a watercolor picture with her voice. A nice contrast to the lead vocalist of Gabriel Acevedo (vocals/guitar/fiddle).
It’s all gratifying & so perfectly Americana music. The songs perpetuate a peaceful domain. “Cedar Mountain” is another standard piece with a wonderful arrangement — but in its realm it runs barefoot through your ears, followed by the jingly banjo notes & acoustic guitars in hot pursuit of Gabriel’s voice. Play it again, again, again. Yeah, it’s one of those types of songs.
Good entertaining album. Leave the bills in another room, let someone else walk the dog. Just kick up with pomegranate tea & chill with Remedy Tree – remedy? Doesn’t that mean a possible cure? Yes. After watching the six o’clock news, go play this album at least twice.
Highlights – “Beyond What I Can See,” “Adaline,” “Let Her Know,” “Every Second We’re Apart,” “Winter & Spring,” “Cedar Mountain,” “Troubadour,”& “My Dear Creation.”
Musicians – Nathan Beaumont (banjo/harmony vocals/guitar), Bryce Griffin (mandolin/harmony vocals), Jason Carter (fiddle), & Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo).
Color image courtesy of the Mountain Fever Records website. Cover image courtesy of Tucker Joenz. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.remedytreemusic.com/