Search - Dry Branch Fire Squad :: Live at the Newburyport Firehouse

Nice 2-CD album highlights amazing entertainment quotient

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 03/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 43:17 (disc 1), 43:59 (disc 2)-- Way back in the ol' days (1971 to be exact), mandolinist Ron Thomason played with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley were also bandmates at that time). The Dry Branch Fire Squad, from Springfield, Ohio, was formed in 1976 by Thomason, and the band's longevity and success have been attributed to their raw, mountain-style vocals and Thomason's dry humor as an emcee. For 30 years (until his retirement in 1999), Thomason also taught English, math and was a junior high assistant principal. The Dry Branch Fire Squad now celebrates their eighth album on the Rounder Records label. Like their best-selling fourth release ("Live at Last"), their eighth is also a live project, this one with 2 discs and 87 minutes of music, stories, and anecdotes.



Their "Live at the Newburyport Firehouse" has about an equal number of songs and stories. There are many of the band's favorites such as "The Orphan Train," "Coming to Us Dead," "Shine, Hallelujah, Shine," and "Hot Corn, Cold Corn." We can tell that the crowd is held in rapt attention, and they also laugh and applaud for the tales told by wry-witted Thomason like "Mel Bay" and six-minute "Hippies, Beatniks and Power Easements" which is the prelude to an up-tempo "Jesus on the Mainline."



In this live show recorded in November, 2002, one thing becomes very apparent. This band focuses on entertainment, puts their audience first, and their show is presented much like an old-time radio show. Their boundless energy is well-balanced so the sets flow well with peaks and valleys, alternating songs with stories. While audience applause can be slightly annoying in a live recording, that is a tradeoff we must accept in return for the spirit and enthusiasm of a live show. There is actually more dialogue on these discs than there is music, and that might discourage some from multiple listens. Rounder Records might want to consider a future project from Ron Thomason that is solely a disc of storytelling.



Besides Thomason, the lineup for this 2002 DBFS show features Charles Leet (bass), Mary Jo Leet (guitar), Adam McIntosh (guitar, mandolin), and Dan Russell (banjo, mandolin, bass). All sing in the band. I was particularly impressed with McIntosh's guitar work and Russell's banjo picking. Adam McIntosh sings the lead vocals only on a cover of Merle Haggard's "Lonesome Fugitive," and his lead vocal quality is a strength that the band should further capitalize on in the future. Dan Russell really tears up bluegrass instrumentals like "Roanoke" and "Shenandoah Breakdown." Also adept at country music, Russell has professional experience with the likes of John Anderson.



In sum, this splendid 2-CD album highlights a band with amazing staying power and entertainment quotient. It seems that they now enjoy music-making, storytelling and entertaining more than ever. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

"

Incredible music from an incredible band.

Rajheet Sandoz | Colorado | 04/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dry Branch Fire Squad may not be as well known as other bluegrass bands, but it should be. After listening to a few of their albums, and hearing them live a couple of times, I find myself unable to listen to newgrass/bluegrass.



This latest album is the real deal. If you can't make it to a live concert, Live at Newburyport Firehouse is the next best thing. A DBFS show is a mix of storytelling and music making, and this album lets you hear both sides of one of the most entertaining bands around. Buy the album, then track down one of their live performances. You will be glad you did."