I got the announcement about the pre-order of “Songs From The Tin Shed” in my inbox today, and to my surprise when I logged on to Livedownloads.com it was already available for (paid) download so I went for it. The album will be out on Frog Pad Records ( www.frogpadrecords.com ) and is supposed to be in stores everywhere March 16.
The cd starts out with No Place Like a Road - a simple, beautiful piece where Austin really starts to come out with some quiet beautiful phrasing on the mandolin that before haven`t come through as well on his studio work. The pairing of Austin and Castino`s voices is perfect and complimentary – someone unaware would have thought them brothers. This song pours out like a quiet waterfall with the feel of a lullaby for roadies. Different Day is an upbeat, but sad song that looks back to a missed love. The Last Day Waltz is another beautifully played piece which is evidence of the desire of Castino and Austin to explore the traditional roots in a real way and as you would expect a waltz in 3/4. Back of my mind is a bluegrassy/country song that takes a look back on a lost relationship, and is filled with some very nice picken’ and fiddle playing courtesy of friend Darol Anger. Other guests on the album include Nick Forster of Hot Rize fame, Sally Van Meter, Noam Pickelny of Leftover Salmon, Ben Kaufmann, Adam Aijala, and Dave Johnston. Steep Grades, Sharp Curves is one that Yonder Mountain has been playing to enthusiastic audiences for some months now, and here Austin and Castino break out a more organic but equally energetic version with some fantastic licks thrown in by Sally. Latent Love is a longing country song that Castino pulls of with the raw, intense feeling that Country Music seems to have forgotten. Flatiron Suite is another beautiful flowing piece with fantastic picking, harmonies, and lyrics that paint images that will take you to another place, wonderfully touched by the hand of Sally Van Meter. Sunday Afternoon is a yearning, lonely piece which even includes some subtle well placed electric licks. Paul and Silas is a wonderful old traditional made famous by the Stanley Brothers and is a perfect fit on this album with some nice banjo to compliment the mix. The album is closed out with Lonely Yukon Stars which includes some soft and easy yodeling from Castino.
This album takes a brave jump into traditional Americana for both Austin and Castino. It is sure to please one with an ear for Americana and is a joyous vehicle capable of stretching the boundaries of the casual Yonder Mountain or Big Wu fan in a real way.
The download from livedownloads.com was quick and easy. I’m not sure if the download has all of the artwork that the store bought copy will contain, but I would have liked more liner notes with credits for each song including guests and writing credits and maybe some lyrics, too.
It`s nice to hear these guys reaching for the more traditional sounds. Beautiful work, gotta hope this is more than a one time thing.
-Paul
