Post by jptheprofessor on Apr 27, 2008 21:51:28 GMT -5
SARAH FLECK & THE PALPITATIONS – BLUE JEANS & DAYDREAMS (no label) Named after their drummer and a one-time 1973 London concert line-up featuring Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood; young Williamsport-based quintet Sarah Fleck & the Palpitations finds their inspirations in the music their parents probably used to listen to. Comprised of Sarah, lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Garrett Williams, lead guitarist Patrick Hayes, lead guitarist/organist Greg Lang and bassist/singer Kristin Gdula; Sarah Fleck & the Palpitations uses the pop and rock of the late 60's and early 70's as the launching pad to craft their own freewheeling original sound on their debut CD, Blue Jeans & Daydreams. Through the disc's eleven multi-flavored tracks, the group frequently references the Summer Of Love, blending styles and themes reminiscent of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Mamas and Papas, The Lovin' Spoonful, Grateful Dead and more. Every song is different and taps a unique retro vibe, from the acoustic Dylan-ish folk flavors of “Ley Line Maggie” and the Kristin-sung “Looking West” to the happy Mamas and Papas singalong style of “Copper Shoes” and San Francisco feel of the album-closer “King of This Town,” the Grateful Dead-infused “Johnny You Can Dance” (borrowing a riff from “Touch of Grey”), the early Led Zeppelin blues-rock flavor of “Iridescent Lover” and more. The performances are bright and enthusiastic; Garrett’s singing style ranges from feisty on harder-driving numbers like “Aviator Baby” and “Frisco Sister” to gentle and laid-back on the British pop/folk-flavored “Summer Triangle.” The group’s vocal harmonies are infectious and cheerful; and the instrumentation is steadily busy, with Patrick and Greg frequently blending bluesy guitar leadwork along Garrett’s rhythm guitar riffs, with keys, harmonica, glockenspiel and trumpet making their presences felt along the way. Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered at Complex One Studios in Indiana, Blue Jeans & Daydreams has a loose and free-spirited feel, like much of the music and era that inspired it. The mix is basic and lets the elements of the group’s sound be heard clearly without much studio gloss or clutter. Sarah Fleck & the Palpitations displays their vintage roots proudly on Blue Jeans & Daydreams, and uses those influences to create a happy-go-lucky sound and charm all their own. This is a fun and colorful debut. (The CD can be purchased through the group's website, www.palpitations.net.)