The Wild Feathers

 

Went to a Paul Simon concert 12/4/11 and walked in while the opening act was playing.  Five guys in jeans and tennis shoes playing a country/rock-ish set with some catchy tunes and fine harmonies.  I had to ask who the band was since there was no mention of an opening act.  I was impressed enough to be curious.  Marched out to the merch table with the full intent of buying a CD but only found a couple of EPs, no full-length.  Hmmm...and they were opening for a legend...  The next day I tried to find them on the 'net and was basically stymied.  The most informative source I could locate was a blog by the sister of one of the band's members.  All the guys were Texans and a couple of them had moved to Nashville, but they would meet up to do shows like the one I witnessed.  Damned odd, don't you know.  Not satisfied, I kept digging, and sure enough, I discovered that Warner Brothers was courting them.  "That explains that," thought I and closed the book. 

A year and a half goes by without another thought of them, but browsing amongst the August new releases I see the name, so I finally get to follow through on my intention from 619 days earlier.  And I'm not disappointed..............but I'm not blown away, either. 

The harmonies are wonderful (all the guys were lead singers in previous bands) with immediate comparisons to The Eagles.  I hear a little LRB, too.  One of the fellows is a dead ringer for Chris Robinson, hence the many references to The Black Crowes I spotted while researching.  I also noted Tom Petty, who was also bandied about within many of the reviews.  Additional repeated terminology included; The Band, Neil Young, bluesy, gritty, road trip, Mellencamp, engaging, wistful, The Wallflowers, freewheeling, earthy, and on and on. 

The album's opener has been featured in the "Nashville" television series but it wasn't until track #5 before I heard a true keeper...
 


It was the next song that made my ear's perk up and my mind to say, "there it is..."



That wrapped up everything from the concert I enjoyed about them...good song and great vocals, though this is a subdued radio performance.  They've been out on the road supporting ZZ Ward and will also open shows for others, like Needtobreathe, but they get to headline every now and then (i.e.. Halloween night in Little Rock, AR), and I'd recommend seeing them live in one of these smaller venue settings while you can. 

I'm glad this band has had some early success.  Several of my Mad Rockin' devotees found them without any assistance on my part, and that's a good sign.  I'll keep twenty minutes.  The remaining 31 are just fine, somewhat recycled, but fine, nonetheless. 

But if given the choice, I'm playing the Dawes record.