Birdsongs Of The American West
This is the fourth project from this Southwestern Colorado group, and is a collection of original material that reflects the feeling and sounds of the San Juan Mountains near where the band lives. The Birds are Anneke Dean (violin, guitar), Alex Paul (guitar, resonator guitar, bass), Eric Shedd (bass, guitar, mandolin), and Jack Tolan (mandolin, guitar), and all the members contribute with the lead and harmony vocals.
Their compositions and arrangements show how they look at life with reality and humor, while focusing on their western roots. The selections include “Texture,” “Numbers and Names,” “Aftermath,” “Peace,” “Paradox of Choice,” “Animas,” “Breath,” “Exhale” (with its Bossa Nova feel), “Stargazer” (with Dean on lead vocal), and the instrumental “Linden and Oak” which features everyone’s contribution to the arrangement.
With their musical styles and approaches influenced by groups such as the Wood Brothers, Punch Brothers, and the like, this new release will continue to exhibit how much this group has evolved in their music in both writing and playing ability.
