|
 From
the town of Ellenburg Depot in the Champlain Valley in upstate New York., The
Gibson Brothers emerged on the music scene in 1991 and put out albums on the Big
Elm, Hay Holler and Ceili labels early in their music career. Their "traditional
music with a twist" has won them many fans and a 1998 award for "Emerging Artist
of the Year." In 2002, they signed with Sugar Hill Records and released the
highly acclaimed "Bona Fide" in 2003. When not performing, Leigh is a dairy
farmer, and Eric is a school teacher.
Their sophomore effort on the Sugar Hill label, "Long Way Back Home," continues
their formula of a full, visceral brand of bluegrass built around the brothers'
duet singing and songwriting. This disc consists of seven originals. Leigh
Gibson contributes Dreams That End Like This, Any Man in His Right Mind, and I
Gotta Get Back To You. Eric Gibson composed The Way I Feel, I'm not Wanted Here,
and He'd Take Her Back Again. Drawing inspiration from the Adirondacks on a
beautiful spring day, Eric collaborated with Roy Hurd to pen "Callie's Reel." In
each case, the song's author sings lead with his brother singing harmony. The
only number with three-part harmony (courtesy of Alan Bartram) is "I'm not
Wanted Here." Although brother duet singing is a large part of their signature
sound, I'd encourage them to consider a few more songs with additional harmony
on future releases. Maybe even invite their little sis, Erin, back into the
vocal mix now and then as they did on the "Bona Fide" album? Besides the
traditional "East Bound Train," the band covers of songs by Kieran Kane, Gordon
Lightfoot, Jackson Leap, Jaime Robbie Robertson, Chris Jones, and Edgar Edens.
Leigh Gibson plays guitar and sings. Eric Gibson plays banjo, lead guitar, and
sings. The brothers are once again joined by their talented bass player Mike
Barber and mandolinist Marc MacGlashan. Special guests include Jason Carter
(fiddle), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Rob Ickes (dobro), Russ Pahl (steel guitar), Sam
Zucchini (percussion), and Alan Bartram (harmony vocal). Another difference from
the "Bona Fide"project is the band's increasing use of drums and steel guitar.
These three original cuts (Dreams that End Like This, Any Man in his Right Mind,
He'd Take Her Back Again) clearly show their distinctive, countrified stamp to
some of their contemporary material. Now, with veteran experience to supplement
their youthful energy, the Gibson Brothers' fame as bluegrass and country stars
continues to grow. (Joe Ross)
THE GIBSON BROTHERS - Long Way Back Home
Sugar Hill Records SUG-CD-3986
PO Box 55300 Durham, NC 27717-5300
Playing Time - 44:50
Songs - 1. Mountain Song, 2. Callie's Reel, 3. Dreams That End Like This, 4. The
Way I Feel,5. Ophelia, 6. Any Man In His Right Mind, 7. Long Way Back Home, 8.
It's All Right With Me,9. Alone With You, 10. I'm Not Wanted Here, 11. I Gotta
Get Back To You, 12. Satan's Jeweled Crown, 13. He'd Take Her Back Again |
