SHURMAN
''JUBILEE''
APRIL 12 2005
43:45
1. Drownin'/3:24
2. Red Eyes/3:41
3. Impossibilities/3:21
4. Petty Song/4:19
5. So Happy/4:37
6. I Got U Babe (pt.3)/2:56
7. Jubilee/5:08
8. Tonight I'm Drinking/3:48
9. Stay/3:54
10. Down/4:54
11. 2 a.m./3:44
Damon Allen /Drums, Vocals
Aaron Beavers /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Harmonica, Vocals
Louie Butler /Percussion
Gia Ciambotti /Vocals (Background)
Johnny Davis /Additional Personnel, Bass, Vocals (Background)
Skip Edwards /Additional Personnel, Organ
Keith Hanna /Bass, Dobro, Bass, Vocals
Dave Hartunian /Vocals (Background)
John Lefler /Wurlitzer
Rich Mahan /Guitar (Electric)
Jason Moore /Guitar, Vocals
Jason Moore /Guitar, Vocals
P.H. Naffah /Congas
Ben Peeler /Additional Personnel, Lap Steel Guitar
Doug Pettibone /Additional Personnel, Pedal Steel Guitar
Art Phillips /Radio
Garrison Starr /Vocals (Background)
Dusty Wakeman /Additional Personnel, Guitar (Baritone), Harmonica
Andrew Williams /Additional Personnel, Piano
REVIEW
by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Alternative country has become so "in," it's even found a home in L.A. thanks to Shurman. While the band has been active for some time, Jubilee will serve as the band's introduction for many listeners. Released on Vanguard, the album combines the songs and vocals of Aaron Beavers with a four-piece band format for solid, unadorned country-rock. Even five songs into the album, it's clear that Beavers, drummer Damon Allen, guitarist Jason Moore, and bassist Keith Hanna play well together, and the set list is strong. While some material leans closer to country ("Drownin'") and other material leans toward rock ("I Got U Babe, Pt. 3"), the overall feel of the album is cohesive. The only negative observations one might offer is that the band, in spite of its talents, reminds one of a number of other alternative bands. While Beavers' vocals might have been described as "heartfelt" in 1995, today his voice just sounds familiar. While the band's combination of country and rock would have sounded innovative in 1995, today it qualifies as recognizable alternative country. For those familiar with the nuances of the genre, however, Shurman's songwriting and synchronicity will carve out a distinct place for the band on the contemporary music scene.
BIOGRAPHY
by David Jeffries
Part of the reason Los Angeles' Shurman rock with more of a twang than other L.A. bands is lead singer Aaron Beavers' Texas roots and drummer Damon Allen's Georgia upbringing. The two met when Beavers' family moved from Texas to Allen's hometown outside of Atlanta. They were both 13 when they first entertained the idea of starting a band, but college separated the two when Beavers headed to Hawaii and Allen moved to L.A. They didn't lose contact. Beavers sent Allen every single one of the 100 songs he had written while in Hawaii. Allen was convinced that L.A. was the place for the two to form the band they had always talked about, and soon Beavers made the move. They formed the original Shurman and released two EPs -- 2000's Songs to Tell Your Friends About and 2001's Superfecta -- and toured like crazy, averaging 200 shows a year. They had created quite a buzz among the alternative country community and won over some high-profile friends. Some of these friends -- Lucinda Williams' guitarist Doug Pettibone, Dashboard Confessional member John Lefler, and Mavericks' co-founder Ben Peeler -- helped record the unsigned bands debut, Jubilee. The Vanguard label picked the record up and released it in April of 2005. Guitarist Jason Moore and bassist Keith Hanna were soon added to the band and the new Shurman hit the road once again to support the record.
''JUBILEE''
APRIL 12 2005
43:45
1. Drownin'/3:24
2. Red Eyes/3:41
3. Impossibilities/3:21
4. Petty Song/4:19
5. So Happy/4:37
6. I Got U Babe (pt.3)/2:56
7. Jubilee/5:08
8. Tonight I'm Drinking/3:48
9. Stay/3:54
10. Down/4:54
11. 2 a.m./3:44
Damon Allen /Drums, Vocals
Aaron Beavers /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Harmonica, Vocals
Louie Butler /Percussion
Gia Ciambotti /Vocals (Background)
Johnny Davis /Additional Personnel, Bass, Vocals (Background)
Skip Edwards /Additional Personnel, Organ
Keith Hanna /Bass, Dobro, Bass, Vocals
Dave Hartunian /Vocals (Background)
John Lefler /Wurlitzer
Rich Mahan /Guitar (Electric)
Jason Moore /Guitar, Vocals
Jason Moore /Guitar, Vocals
P.H. Naffah /Congas
Ben Peeler /Additional Personnel, Lap Steel Guitar
Doug Pettibone /Additional Personnel, Pedal Steel Guitar
Art Phillips /Radio
Garrison Starr /Vocals (Background)
Dusty Wakeman /Additional Personnel, Guitar (Baritone), Harmonica
Andrew Williams /Additional Personnel, Piano
REVIEW
by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Alternative country has become so "in," it's even found a home in L.A. thanks to Shurman. While the band has been active for some time, Jubilee will serve as the band's introduction for many listeners. Released on Vanguard, the album combines the songs and vocals of Aaron Beavers with a four-piece band format for solid, unadorned country-rock. Even five songs into the album, it's clear that Beavers, drummer Damon Allen, guitarist Jason Moore, and bassist Keith Hanna play well together, and the set list is strong. While some material leans closer to country ("Drownin'") and other material leans toward rock ("I Got U Babe, Pt. 3"), the overall feel of the album is cohesive. The only negative observations one might offer is that the band, in spite of its talents, reminds one of a number of other alternative bands. While Beavers' vocals might have been described as "heartfelt" in 1995, today his voice just sounds familiar. While the band's combination of country and rock would have sounded innovative in 1995, today it qualifies as recognizable alternative country. For those familiar with the nuances of the genre, however, Shurman's songwriting and synchronicity will carve out a distinct place for the band on the contemporary music scene.
BIOGRAPHY
by David Jeffries
Part of the reason Los Angeles' Shurman rock with more of a twang than other L.A. bands is lead singer Aaron Beavers' Texas roots and drummer Damon Allen's Georgia upbringing. The two met when Beavers' family moved from Texas to Allen's hometown outside of Atlanta. They were both 13 when they first entertained the idea of starting a band, but college separated the two when Beavers headed to Hawaii and Allen moved to L.A. They didn't lose contact. Beavers sent Allen every single one of the 100 songs he had written while in Hawaii. Allen was convinced that L.A. was the place for the two to form the band they had always talked about, and soon Beavers made the move. They formed the original Shurman and released two EPs -- 2000's Songs to Tell Your Friends About and 2001's Superfecta -- and toured like crazy, averaging 200 shows a year. They had created quite a buzz among the alternative country community and won over some high-profile friends. Some of these friends -- Lucinda Williams' guitarist Doug Pettibone, Dashboard Confessional member John Lefler, and Mavericks' co-founder Ben Peeler -- helped record the unsigned bands debut, Jubilee. The Vanguard label picked the record up and released it in April of 2005. Guitarist Jason Moore and bassist Keith Hanna were soon added to the band and the new Shurman hit the road once again to support the record.
No comments :
Post a Comment