Coal Porters
(Prima)
You have to give Sid Griffin credit. Its one thing to emulate your influences but it's quite another to be able to document them as an author and a scholar. Griffin's devotion to his forebears is literally a matter of record; a well-published writer and reviewer, his devotion to all things Byrds, Burritos and Dylan ensures both an air of authenticity and a profound credibility that few of his peers possess. The fact is, Griffin's track record speaks for itself, beginning with the fabled west coast outfit The Long Ryders, continuing through an abbreviated solo stint, and now up into the present with his British-based Coal Porters. (He's also resurrected the Ryders on occasion, as documented here.)
Remarkably, he's able to hold any extraneous ambitions in check, steering the band towards unplugged bluegrass and doing so with an edge and affinity that brings continued credibility to this well-honed genre. The band sticks with traditional trappings -fiddles, banjo, mandolin, Dobro and the like - but their playing exhibits an exuberance and commitment that belies any sense of posturing or pretense. They're most adept at replaying familiar fare and adapting it to their back porch designs, as reflected in a searing take on Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" that's every bit as compelling as the original, and a masterful redo of Peter Rowan's "Moonlight Midnight" in which its composer contributes to the fray. Original offerings like the rowdy "Let's Say Goodbye (Like We Said Hello)," a compelling "No More Chains" or the incisive anti-war ballad "Permanent Twilight" ring with equal authority while maintaining that unpretentious provincial affinity.
Seven albums on, the Coal Porters have a reputation they can bank on. And with #Durango# this durable bunch has successfully added even more fuel to their fire.
Standout Tracks: "Midnight Moonlight," "Like a Hurricane," "Permanent Twilight" LEE ZIMMERMAN
