Search - Farm Dogs :: Last Stand in Open Country

Music you want to hear as the sun sets and you stoke a fire

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 10/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"That "Last Stand in Open Country," the first of a pair of CDs from the band Farm Dogs, seems to have inexplicably gone largely unnoticed is mystifying given the credentials of the band members, their skills as musicians, and the craftsmanship conveyed in these songs.



The band comprises Bernie Taupin on vocals (yes, that guy); Jim Cregan on guitars and vocals (Family, Rod Stewart to name just two of his affiliations); Robin Le Mesurier on guitars and dobro (also Rod Stewart); and Dennis Tufano on harp and vocals (remember the Buckinghams---if you do, you are telling your age!) (Tony Brock, the drummer, gets full membership standing on the next Farm Dog's CD.)



This collection of largely acoustic songs, deeply influenced by the Americana/roots movement, details the hard lives, romances, and episodic adventures of outlaws and outsiders, eccentrics, and a pair of silver screen legends, Dennis Hooper and Harry Dean. The vocal harmonies ring clear and strong, often in three or four parts, and the lyrics reveal a level of wordsmithing that's pretty atypical these days (think the antithesis of the mindless word games of rap and hip-hop). There is plenty of smooth, acoustic guitar picking and enough harmonica and to infuse some atmosphere without becoming tiresome or trite.



The songwriting credits go to the whole band, though one suspects Mr. Taupin crafted many of the lyrics. Regardless, "Last Stand in Open Country" is a gem, the kind of music you want to hear as the sun sets and you stoke a fire and keep good company with friends and dogs.





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