Erik Brandt & The Urban Hillbilly Quartet – Folksinger
This Twin Cities-based musician offers 10 new songs, the first set since 2012 as Folksinger (Dropped Dec 16/UHQ Recordings/31:20) produced by AJ Scheiber (electric bass/pedal steel & acoustic guitars) & Erik Brandt (vocals/guitar/accordion/piano). Recorded in various studios from St. Paul, Minnesota, Austin, TX, Lawrence, KS, Brooklyn, NY & as distant as Hungary.
This is Erik’s 4th solo LP, encompassing genres such as rock, country, ska, jazz, & some folk. All share a unified thematic connection. Members of Erik’s band (The Urban Hillbilly Quartet) contribute to the wide berth of influences from R.E.M. to The Mavericks.
Erik’s vocals are consistent with the folk singer genre & with retro stylizations. His tonality is gentle, warm, & expressive. The accompanying female vocals are folk alchemy. “Folksinger” has precise sleekness. No showboating, high notes or trotted out solos – just good songs with smart lyrics & solid performances. Balladry can lead to monotony if there’s no expressive catalyst – these have intelligent lyrics & sparkling guitar. But many of these songs depend on the songwriting. The themes, subjects, & storytelling.
“STP” has a deep Erik vocal, while “Size of Diamonds” has a sprightly sound similar to the first time listening to “Walk Right On,” by the Rooftop Singers. Excellent playing keeps the song interesting & persuasive, maintaining the retro-folk structure without sounding like an oldie. The midtempo tune is supported by cool accordion notes with early ‘60s lead guitar, & marvelous vocals.
The songs are all arranged in a folky early ‘60s Greenwich Village style. Tom Paxton, Tim Rush, Buzz Clifford, Erik Darling, & the Kingston Trio. Yet, despite that folksiness, it’s the early ‘60s country lead guitar notes that are the glue to “Once Upon a Time.” It shouldn’t be there, but it is & it works. It’s attributable to the care & skill Erik Brandt applies that makes each tune attractive, impulsive & wholly different.
Track 5 – “Narcissus,” with its hokey-pokey lyrics, lots of syllables, has low notes of the bass clarinet that tug the ear. Some Dixieland-oriented tunes colorize the set (“Play Side B”) without going too New Vaudeville Band (“Winchester Cathedral”). The humor is well placed, the toe-tap & finger snap will commence. The playing is sharp & nostalgic.
Great early Johnny Cash guitar style with sleek vocals swabs the layers of “Bike Ride To Your Heart.” Not exactly Bruce Springsteen, but it has inertia. Very Bobby Rydell-oriented backup singers possess “Cruel Spring.” They are the song & it’s tantalizing.
Highlights – “Folksinger,” “STP,” “Size of Diamonds,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Narcissus,” “Play Side B,” “Bike Ride To Your Heart,” & “Cruel Spring.”
Musicians – Paul Fontara (clarinet/tenor sax/bass clarinet), Luke Jacobs & Carrie Rodriguez with Agi Mohacsy & Rick Risch (harmony), Peter Karman (banjo), Dave Strahan (drums/pedal steel & electric guitar), Chris Stromquist (percussion), Jeremy Szopinski (electric baritone & electric guitars), & Doug Trail-Johnson (mandolin/harmony).
Color image courtesy of Erik’s Bandcamp. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://urbanhillbillyquartet.com/