(Western Beat) Jubal Foster's five members, (the band took their name from the character of a moonshiner in an episode of the Andy Griffith Show), all originally come from the mountains of North Carolina, but never met until their paths crossed by chance after each had already headed for and landed in Nashville. In early 1999, Mark Bumgarner (vocals/guitar), Milan Miller (guitar/ mandolin/vocals), and Jeff Smith (drums) began jamming together with the goal of writing a few songs. The thought of forming a band hadn't crossed their minds at that point, but after spending a little more time together, they realized there was a special chemistry between them and changed their minds. The addition of Buddy Melton (fiddle/vocals), and Mark W. Winchester (upright bass) completed the band. Jubal Foster draws heavily on their Appalachian roots, and combine their influences of bluegrass, Bakersfield honky tonk and 70's West Coast country-rock to create their own unique sound.

The bulk of the songs on the disc are penned by various band members, and they toss in a few covers.The band moves back and forth effortlessly between acoustic and electric instruments. Jubal Foster's sound is also centered on their strong vocal harmonies, recalling groups like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the far more interesting and country rooted 'pre-Vince Gill' era of Pure Prairie League, The Desert Rose Band, some early Diamond Rio and even a bit of Blackhawk.

It's tough to pick out specific sounds in describing their music because they blend all of their influences together so well. The two easiest ones would be "Nothing Helps" which is an easy going honky tonk two-stepper, and "Savin' Up For A Cadillac" which is straight up, bass thumping Bakersfield. They cover Dallas Frazier's driving "If It Ain't Love" in an outstanding version that straddles Bakersfield honky tonk and Appalachian hillbilly. "The Girl I Used To Know" combines minor chord country-rock with a shuffling beat and classic Bakersfield guitar licks. On the traditional, "I Know You Rider," they mix country-rock, with a fiddle driven hillbilly sound and toss in bits of Bakersfield licks throughout. "Stranger Things Have Happened" is a fiddle driven mid-tempo country-rocker. 

A real standout is Jubal Foster's cover of Lennon/McCartney's "I've Just Seen A Face" that's a knockout. The band gives it a shuffling beat, some reverb guitar work balanced with rustic mandolin, tight harmonies and they transform this one into a shuffling country gem. Hello radio?! This one has #1 written all over it. "Ragin' River" combines lazy, country spiritual/blues with touches of rockabilly. "Six Days From Sunday" is an outstanding bluegrass/hillbilly tale of a man that got caught cheating. Another standout, a bootlegger's lament, "Hard To Pay" starts out with a slow, menacing Appalachian rhythm and then kicks into a faster bluegrass based melody. The beautiful "Blue Mountain," is a mournful waltz time ballad of a love left behind. "Reason To Cry" is the most contemporary song on the disc and is highly 'radio friendly.' That's not meant as an insult, this is the stuff we should be hearing on radio. Despite the fact that it would slide nicely into even today's country radio format, it's not cut from the same slick, cookie cutter mold as the current average radio schlock is. The sound is laid back and easy, but there's a lot of honesty and something very real about it. It's not stone cold hard country, it has a lighter air to it, but the soothing mandolin and acoustic guitar work keep it firmly rooted in country. 

Jubal Foster's blend of influences creates a sound that's at the same time familiar yet fresh. This is a band that doesn't even attempt to hide their country roots and influences behind the skirts of mainstream Nashville's bland, generic pop music. Jubal Foster has delivered one highly enjoyable debut disc, a perfect companion to kick back with during the warm, lazy days ahead.

www.jubalfoster.com