Beat Circus - Boy From Black Mountain CD (Mega Blowout Sale)
SKU
Rune 294 mbs
Boy From Black Mountain is the third release from the determinedly eclectic Boston-based ensemble Beat Circus. Beat Circus is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Brian Carpenter. The music bridges a number of disparate genres including experimental music, Americana, cabaret, circus music, Appalachian string music, bluegrass music, old-time music, Southern Gospel, and funereal music. The current edition of the band features a unusual and versatile instrumentation. Brian brought in violinist Paran Amirinazari and violist Jordan Voelker (who also provide background vocals), trombonist Doug LaRosa, and the rockabilly-style rhythm section composed of upright bassist Paul Dilley, guitarist/banjoist Andrew Stern, and drummer Gavin McCarthy.
Boy From Black Mountain began shortly after Carpenter's son was diagnosed with autism in late 2006. He began writing songs inspired by the experience of living with his son during the time of diagnosis and treatment. Carpenter further dedicates the album to his father and grandparents, whose lives as watermelon farmers in the rural Bible Belt inspired some of the songs.
This is a very artful-yet-accessible album with great lyrics, memorable songs and rich orchestrations. In addition to the songs are a handful of haunting instrumentals which help to frame the overall work of the songs to a larger canvas.
Beat Circus are a powerful live outfit as well and are gaining renown for their compelling shows, gathering great notices in high profile magazines for their regular appearances up and down the northeast corridor. If they play near you, go see them - it's an amazing SHOW.
"...the band mixes carnivalesque tunes with rock moments. The rich and tight orchestrations feature a Morricone-inspired combination of harmonica, viola, banjo, guitar, tuba, violin, trombone, upright bass, and drums." — The New Yorker
"Boston's circus of malcontents not only has the chops but features a fallen hellfire preacher/band leader (the captivating Brian Carpenter) who simultaneously channels Nick Cave and Johnny Cash." — The Village Voice
- LabelCuneiform
- UPC045775029429
Customer Reviews
Average Rating
Is there a such thing as a Bluegrass Orchestra? There is now! And there are so many remarkable elements to this band and this disc that this review may take a while. You have the usual sturdy bluegrass backing plus a two-woman string section and 2-3 man horn section (including occasional tuba). Everybody is a monster player, playing monster songs with old-timey, Gospel tinged lyrics that are written and sung/narrated by band leader Brian Carpenter. The whole disc is worth listening to, but these are the Album highlights:"Petrified Man", "As I Lay Dying", and especially "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" which is notable for being the All Time Greatest Bluegrass Train Song while at the same time featuring neither prominent guitar nor banjo nor mentioning anything about a train. I like every note on every song on this album - the short instrumentals as well as the big hitters. There's even one loud electric guitar/drums rave-up that works its way in. If there was any justice in this world, these guys would have played at the Super Bowl instead of Bad Bunny or Bad Music or whatever his name was. Maybe next year. And if you can't afford a ticket to the Super Bowl (Internet says they start at $6652 each) you can do this. I bought my CD from Wayside Music for $3.00. With the money you save, you can host your own venue, preferably a great big tent or even better, a barn. Then you take the $6652 that you would have spent on just ONE Super Bowl ticket and buy 2217 three-dollar copies of this album and invite and gift it to 2217 of your closest friends. Then during halftime, play this disc instead of whatever Bad Idea or Bad Music they're featuring next year. If you have any Bluegrass radar at all, or even if you don't, chances are you'll love this. Five stars, maybe even an extra star for jewel case packaging and artwork. -T.A.
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