TIM AND SAVANNAH FINCH WITH THE EASTMAN STRING BAND

TIM AND SAVANNAH FINCH WITH THE EASTMAN STRING BAND
’NEATH THE MIDNIGHT SKY

No Label
No Number

Tim and Savannah Finch form the basis of the Eastman String Band, whose additional members include Stefan Custodi (bass) and Jon Glik (fiddle). Additional artists on this project include John Miller (guitar), Fred Travers (resonator guitar), Katie Chambers (cello), Nate Grower (fiddle), Lincoln Meyers (guitar), and Dion Clay (drums). Tim sings lead and harmony vocals and plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, and pedal steel. Savannah sings lead and harmony vocals and plays guitar. Tim is also a representative of Eastman Strings, hence the name of the band.

Most of the songs on this project were written by Savannah and/or co-written with Tim. By calling themselves a string band, the group is able to expand their music into a more Americana feeling while keeping with a primarily bluegrass instrumentation. The mix of drums and steel on some tunes is very tastefully done, as is the inclusion of cello. “Opening My Eyes” sets the project’s tone followed by “Only Bird Not Singing” with its slow start that kicks into high gear. Other tunes include “Happy Heart You Send,” “My Tombstone (Weathered Fields),” “Back In Your Good Graces,” “Are You Mad,” “Eventide Bloom,” and the title-cut “’Neath A Midnight Sky” (a fiddle poem). The instrumental “Run Ashore” features Meyers on guitar, and “If We Could Live A Thousand Years” is a lovely tune that has Savannah’s vocal backed by Tim’s simple guitar. Overall with this collection of talented sidemen, the Finch’s have created a great sounding project which very nicely blends their lead and harmony vocals with near flawless instrumental backing. (www.timandsavannahfinch.com)BF