Search - John Reischman & The Jaybirds :: Field Guide

Instrumental & vocal prowess is monstrously good throughout

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Duets, trios and feisty instrumentals abound on the Jaybirds' second album release, "Field Guide." Nominated for a Juno (Canada's highest music award) in the Roots and Traditional Group category for 2002, the CD is a flavorful experience. The Jaybirds don't strive for a high lonesome bluegrass sound, but instead they very competently have their own unique folksy flair. Bassist Trisha Gagnon sings a solo and spiritually-tinged rendition of "Little Willy." Mandolinist John Reichman joins Gagnon to sing with a relaxed laid-back style that still manages, with good timing and pacing, to drive their duets on "Lonesome Dove" and "The Immigrant's Lament" and "Say Darlin' Say." Gagnon and guitarist Jim Nunally serve up bluesy duets on "Shackled and Chained" and "The Train That Carried My Girl from Town."

The band's trios spotlight each of the band's singers. Nunally sing lead in two arrangements and Gagnon takes the lead on three, while Reischman's role in the trios is to sing the remaining third part. Of their vocal trios, "She Could Have Loved Him" comes from the pen of Carol Elizabeth Jones, "Darlin' Nellie" is a Carter Family tune, "I'm Troubled" is a traditional song, and "In the Darkest Hour" and "Over the Levee" are originals. The latter could be classified as a tragedy song and documents a flood that took place in Canada's Fraser Valley. Each arrangement is presented with confidence and poise. The rest of the group includes Nick Hornbuckle on banjo, and Greg Spatz on fiddle. Their interpretive instrumental twists and turns are of such superior quality that they perfectly complement the expert virtuosity of string wizards Reischman and Nunally. While the band could certainly pick cleanly at breakneck speeds if they wished (as with the closer "The Train That Carried My Girl from Town"), their preference seems to tend towards moderate-tempo'ed melodic pieces that impart powerful rhythmic intensity by virtue of clean picking and arranging. Their instrumental prowess is monstrously good throughout, and I never tire of hearing Reischman's originals like "Holly Jumped Up" and "Plum Tree." Hornbuckle also contributes two self-penned tunes, "Crooked Man" and "Arrowhead." Reischman picks mandola on the former. "Hop High Ladies" burns like a prairie fire. With all their musical aplomb, this band makes it all sound so effortless and easy. That just reinforces and emphasizes how technically accomplished they really are! (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"