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With a sense of style come the fun-loving band Bourgeois Gypsies and their 2008 release “Faulty Fairytales.” |
CommentsFaulty Fairytales
By Grant BurchellPublished: September 11, 2008
With a grass-fed, homegrown sound come the Bourgeois Gypsies, and their second album, “Faulty Fairytales.” Hailing from Sierraville, this band of five brings upbeat, folk-blues with a mountain touch to this 2008 album release.
The album speaks to the minds and hearts of the listener, providing cheerful sounds of love, while delving into endless wonder of one’s purpose on this planet. The songs mix funky hip-shaking beats, bluegrass strings and steady rocking drums with life-inquiring lyrics, sure to keep you guessing – evidence that this band, and their emotions, is mountain-grown, and mountain-fed.
The song “Unsquare Dance” speaks to the curiosity in all of us, however, with a great humor, it reminds us to take our time, and enjoy life as it comes. “Can’t Lose You,” with Kaisa Macdonald singing lead vocals/acoustic guitar, centers on a mind being lost in thoughts of infatuation, and the fear of that falling away, a thought that crosses all lovers’ minds.
Kaisa and Arnold Mitchem, playing acoustic and electric guitar respectively, share vocals throughout the album. Kaisa brings a subtle, sultry voice to the music, a true fit for the instrumentation on the album. Arnold provides a steady gravel voice, simple and easy to listen to. Songs featuring Kaisa on lead vocals have a definite female influence on them, with love and blues; when Arnold leads the listener is treated to a compelling male influence with a positive humor and grizzly tone. Both voices create a country-fueled sound that can only be bred from the open skies and minds of mountain living. The slow-pace of life provided in the country shines through in Bourgeois Gypsies songs.
Kaisa slowly pours words from her heart on a track titled “Worry.” Singing, “tell my baby not to worry/ tell him I’ll be home real soon/ even though I’m in no hurry/ you’ll know I’ll be coming through.” The song seems to speak from her soul, to a loved one certain to be longing for her.
On a kooky, twisted, almost mysteriously fun-loving song, “Train Song,” it’s Arnold’s time to shine, with Kaisa singing background vocals. Arnold lets his sense of humor out in this song with an up-and-down, back-and-forth presentation of the lyrics. Throughout the album the band seems to go between these funny, enjoyable, kinky sounding songs, and more blues-fed, love drooling, steady-paced songs.
The vocal leads don’t strive to take the spotlight from the rest of the group members. With members Keith Rutherford and his rockabilly electric guitar, Taylor Williams with his funky bass, and Peter Miller providing the pace-setting consistency on the drums, the Bourgeois Gypsies are talented and musically sound from top to bottom.
The same can be said of their live performance. I was fortunate to catch a free live show, at Kings Beach State Park, Thursday, Aug. 21. Prior to this I had never heard their music. Throughout the entirety of the performance I found myself tapping my toes and grooving along to the catchy sound and song this band brings to the stage. While showing true talent in songwriting and performing, playing original songs such as “Train Song,” they reached young and old audience members with a blend of cover songs. Covering the likes of Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire,” Talking Head’s “Take Me to the River,” with Dick Dale’s “Wipe-out,” and Led Zeppelin to boot!
The band took classics, sure to stir the hearts of all, and made them their own, with their sound. A live performance gives insight to the band’s influences, and how their sound came to be a unique blend of them all. This band has a sound sure to make you feel good while enjoying the world around you.
If you are looking to smile, have some fun, and shake your behind to some good, local, music get to a live show, they play locally often. And get yourself a copy of “Faulty Fairytales” so you can bring the free-living, mountain-loving, blues-folk-funk-rock into your home. The album will bring you into a fairytale world of bluebirds, and lovers, and life’s great wonders.
Sit-back, relax, and enjoy, this group is talented.
Copies of the album can be purchased at live performances or online at bgypsies.com.
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