|
 The
strength of Raven Moon, a 5-piece band from Illinois that formed eight years
ago, is their variety of material that spans the genres of old-timey, bluegrass,
swing, blues, Celtic and country. While they might seem to have an identity
problem, I suppose the band members just have a variety of musical interests,
and they've built their regional following by appealing to audiences who like a
lot of variety. In producing such a project as "Raven Blue," they take us from
the British Isles and Appalachia ("Frosty Morning") to the brother duets of the
1930s (the Delmore Bros.' "Pan American Boogie"). Wayne Rayne's "Fast Train
Through Arkansas" is given a locomotive treatment that's full of steam.
Raven Moon also weaves their musical journey through traditional bluegrass
("Foggy Mountain Special" and "Walls of Time"), progressive bluegrass ("Down by
the Riverbed"), swing ("Full Moon of Love"), and country ("Blue Kentucky Girl"
and "Walkin' After Midnight"). Their melting pot of acoustic music even offer an
appealing original, "Magic Mandolin," a nostalgic recollection of Grandpa and
his instrument. The songwriter of that number, Christine Peick, is Raven Moon's
guitarist and primary lead singer.
Besides Christine, Raven Moon includes John Higgins (fiddle, harmonica,
vocals), Bob Lucas (banjo, guitar), Johnny Stephens (bass), and Glen Obata (lead
guitar, vocals). Guest musicians include Bob Breidenbush (dobro), Tom Murphy
(mandolin), and Lois Clay Quest (harmony vocals on "Clay Halo"). All of them
are solid and accomplished musicians. Competent on their respective
instruments, the band presents an adept regional band sound that is immediately
appealing yet not overly flashy like some of the over-produced products from
Nashville these days.
This album is a nice sampling of the varied music that Raven Moon brings to
their live shows. Crowds are always guessing what they'll do next. Some in their
audiences may take to the bluegrass while others' affinity may be for the Cajun
or Irish tunes. At the end of a show, Raven Moon's audiences go away happy with
the whole package. The band has been able to open doors for bluegrass. Raven
Moon is known in St. Louis as the band that takes bluegrass to places it has
never been performed before.
Raven Moon keeps busy by playing many festivals in Missouri and Illinois, and
they have enjoyed a considerable amount of success in that locale. They even
achieved some national fame when Garrison Keillor, host of "A Prairie Home
Companion," played one of their songs on his radio show. The band was invited
to showcase at the 2004 IBMA Convention and Trade Show, but they are just too
booked to fit that in. Let's hope they can make it in a future year, as that may
launch them to greater heights and more national recognition. (Joe Ross)
RAVEN
MOON - Raven Blue
RM-002
8922 Trolley Rd., Columbia, Il. 62236-3422
WEB: www.ravenmoonband.com
Playing Time - 41:51 |
