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Look.

I won’t insult anyone’s intelligence by trying to review Paved Country (My man Jefito might be eavesdropping and a skill-set comparison would be mortifyingly embarrassing.)

I’ll just tell you how I got to like their music.

Or.

From country rock to roots rock/country to rootsy/Alt. country in 3 albums.

And if – after listening in – you find that my musical taste isn’t utterly shot, go over to CDBaby and support the starving artists.And CDBaby, too.

First off.

They’re not really my kind of band. – female singers, country. A bit lightweight, a bit harmless, but OK and if the other members of the team are enthused, that’s OK too.

That’s what I thought the first time.

Which was First Night in Boston at St Paul’s in 1998. I was so underwhelmed, I didn’t even spring $10 for the CD. I mean, it was nice enough – they had their kids in the audience and First Night atmosphere is always cool, but….

Pressure from the Team forced me to buy it from CDBaby later..

3 tracks

I could have done that
Dancing the blues
Starlight


Second time was better.

Plough and Stars in Cambridge, Mass, October 2000. Totally inappropriately dressed – I was a Suit, briefcase and all, back then and I flew in from a conference in Chicago, picked up the Team (which had just flown in from Frankfurt) at Waterstones in Newbury St and headed straight over to Porter Square.

And they were good. And they didn’t even give me funny looks. Which I thought very kind

Tight as tight, good guitarist, drumming that cracked like a whip, great new material, laser-sharp harmonies.

That’s where I first heard “Surprise surprise” and it stunned me for its deep, deep emotion. Still does.

And then the 2nd CD came out and Marjie sent it for free (I got some demo tapes before that) and it was getting close to where I like my music.

3 tracks. Prepare yourself.

Surprise surprise
Peace of mind
Too much fun

And then they disappeared.

Weed-infested website, no performances, no press. Nothing.

And then the new CD pops up, which poses a lot more questions than it answers. But I’m still really happy have it.

3 tracks. Choice tracks.

Snowing In Boston
Always fine
Names

And they’re very much where I like my music.

But the website’s still a bit weed-infested…..