Special Concensus Rainford
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January 2001 Having attended the previous three SpecialConsensus concerts organised by Dave 'Frets' Bresnen, I was anticipating another memorable evening at the Junction Hotel and I was certainly not disappointed. Although the band line-up has been different on each visit, this band has clearly won manyfans in the North West area of the UK - so many, in fact, that this concert was sold out well in advance and a number of regulars were disappointed when trying to book tickets in mid-January. Although possibly not one of the USA's best-known bluegrass bands, Special Consensus has just celebrated its' 25th anniversary and released a new C.D. entitled ( not surprisingly ! ) The Special Consensus 25th Anniversary. This is a full-time working and touring band and the Rainford concert was part of an extensive tour of the U.K., Ireland and mainland Europe. Founder-member and banjo-player Greg Cahill is the inspiration behind the band, which has seen many changes in personnel during its 25 years. The current line-up could well be the best yet and the Rainford audience was entertained with a mixture of instrumental virtuosity, high quality lead and harmony vocals (all four of these guys can really sing ) imaginative arrangements and an excellent selection of hard-driving bluegrass,slower ballads, gospels and even some Western Swing. All this is coupled with relaxed, friendly and good-humoured, but thoroughly professional presentation. ( British bands, take note ! )
Josh Williams, Chris Waltz, Tim Dishman, Greg Cahill Guitarist Chris Walz was with the band on its' last UK tour in 1997. He had previously visited Britain as a member ofthe Whiskey Hollow String Band, appearing locally at the Denbigh Folk Club in N. Wales and at Ironbridge. He has a fine lead-singing voice and also sings baritone harmony vocals. Amongst 'his' songs on the evening were the title tracks from two earlier albums: Green Rolling Hills* and Our Little Town, plus one of my favourites, Billy Boy, a prison song written by Chris himself. Acoustic bass was played superbly by multi-instrumentalist Tim Dishman, who also sings tenor- and occasional lead-vocals. A relative newcomer, Tim has been with Special Consensus for almost two years and his wonderful solo bass break was rewarded by rapturous applause from an appreciative audience. The band's newest member is Josh Williams from Kentucky, only recently graduated from High School. What amazing talent this young man possesses - I could hardly believe my eyes and ears. His mandolin and fiddle playing showed why he has already won numerous bluegrass contestsat home in the States and his lead-singing was riveting, with a wonderfully smooth and powerful voice which was also used to great effect for bass harmony vocals in the groups' quartet singing. I particularly enjoyed his lead-singing on I'm No Stranger to the Rain and 32 Acres, both featured on the 25th Anniversary C.D. Thanks to Dave Bresnen for another great evening; I, along with many others, will be looking forward to the next UK visit of this 'Special' band, which is scheduled for Spring 2003, though there was a hint that they could be over for a British festival in Summer 2002. For more info. visit their website: www.specialc.com
Tony Keysell, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
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