The County Boys: Saddle-up to the bar at Irene’s, February 6th
A few short words on the “County Boys” from Peterborough: they are hitching up their posts at Irene’s Pub on February 6. By happenstance I was in Toronto last week-end and caught their show at the Dakota Tavern. I had not heard of them before and had wanted to catch a Bluegrass show earlier in the day but since the timing didn’t work out, I decided to stay and watch this trio from the banks of the Otonabee instead. Peterborough has produced many quality roots acts including: Jackson Delta, the Silver Hearts and Jimmy Bowskill. The County Boys are following in the tradition of roots musicians from the Virginia Hills to the Red River. They have soaked in bits of country, folk and blues.
When they squeeze the sponge of creativity they release bits of all that have come before them and infuse it with modern sensibilities. Leaving them with tributaries that go back to the field holler, while they paddle down the streams of: Gram Parsons, the Dillards and the Great Speckled Bird.
Their live show is filled with high energy country/rock/folk romps through a series of originals mixed with a few well chosen covers. It is easier to often comment on the covers since they can be easily put into context. In this case they played music by: John Prine, Hank Williams and Washboard Hank. Anthems that I have heard several times before and they did credible versions of all these classics. My favorite was an accordion led boogie through Dire Straits “Walk Of Life” a great song played with the joy and passion of young men, which of course they are. The originals were a little harder to get a grasp on. Songs about drinking, partying and loving.
None stood out but none left me wanting to unsurp myself from my chair and bar hop to see what was playing down the street. The band could use a little more work on their stage presence. They came across as a little too inward for such outgoing music.
But all in all it was a show that left me with a smile and a hole in the wallet from staying later than I had intended to. Not a bad thing for a cold winter night.
Irene’s is located at: 885 Bank Street
613 230 4474
Admission is $7, opening act “Tilda”
http://www.myspace.com/thecountyboys
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/countyboys
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=96291
Tags: country music, Dakota Tavern, folk music, Irene's Pub, roots music
