Post by jptheprofessor on Apr 20, 2008 22:39:10 GMT -5
THE GREEN ONIONS – DOWN THE DRAIN (no label) First formed in 2001, Harrisburg's The Green Onions combine elements of rock, blues, jazz and Americana into a classic-geared sound on their second studio album, Down the Drain. But while their sound is classic-rooted, it can’t be pigeonholed, as the Green Onions deftly weave together varying influences and flavors over the album’s dozen tracks. The leadoff pair of numbers, “You Walk Away (The Road’s Ahead of Me)” and “Forgotten Dreams,” conjures a rustic Americana rock flavor reminiscent of The Band and Little Feat. “Silver Ship” displays a piano-driven pop/jazz-rock sound hinting at Toto and Steely Dan; while “Mississippi Moon” and the title track “Down the Drain” mix Band and Little Feat-like blues and funk with a sassier Black Crowes edge. The bluesy “Cry” sets its roots in the Allman Brothers, while the freewheeling and hard-driving “Moon Pie” recalls both the Dixie Dregs and Grateful Dead. And the unique acoustic guitar and mellotron arrangement of the album’s closing ballad “Sooner or Later” suggests an English folk sound. But while the songs provide reminders of the group’s classic roots, the Green Onions’ consistently strong and tasteful performances unify the album into their own cohesive signature sound. Corty Byron’s voice is clear and soulful, and frequently supported by two-and-three part harmonies. This vocal presentation rides atop tastefully-performed backdrops featuring both Corty’s and Chris Gurreri’s flavorful guitar tones, intermingling with Scott Frenchek’s piano and Cort Byron, Sr.’s organ, and fueled by the controlled rhythms of bassist Michael Dinse and drummer John Gasparich (who have both since left the group). The performances are clean and tight, yet robust and inspired. Produced and engineered by Dinse, recorded at Progressive Enterprises and the group’s own studios in Elizabethtown, and mixed and mastered by Marshall Deasy IV at Stress Free Productions; Down the Drain sounds clear, full and polished, and flows along smoothly. The Green Onions distill their vintage influences into a consistent and rewarding listen on Down the Drain, in the process further defining their own convergent style and sound. (The CD can be purchased through the group's website, www.thegreenonions.net.)