By Graham Lees

Just once in a while an album takes you by the scruff of the neck and demands that you sit and listen. Naked Country from Broadcaster is just one of those records. Yes a record! Because that is just what Naked Country is. A record of music played at its best.

The two young men who make up Broadcaster have been around the British country scene for a considerably long time. I remember Simon Brady as a young lad playing bluegrass with his dad and sister around the bluegrass festivals. Simon was also a regular competitor in the mandolin section at Edale Bluegrass Festival, which he won on several occasions. I guess I first saw Peter Shaw around the county music clubs about 15 years ago, when he had already started playing guitar.

At the age of 16 years, the first band Peter and Simon were involved with was a 5-6 piece by the name of Lapwing, fronted by girl singer Helen. As the band folded, Peter joined-up with a friend to form the duo Rainbow Stew. This then changed to Painted Pony when Peter was joined again by Simon. Simon in the mean time had been playing guitar, first with the band Rambling Fever, then Bob McKinley and moving on to play with Nicky James.

A little over a couple of years ago Pete and Simon decided to change the name of their duo to Broadcaster, becoming very popular on the British country club scene. This, their second album is completely unplugged drawing on the lads wealth of experience with a collection of bluegrass and country styles.

Produced by Sean Kenny and released on Phantom Ranch Records UK, Naked Country opens with a rollicking version of the traditional "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms". Pete writes "Fishin' In Life's Ocean", on which he takes lead vocals and includes some excellent mandolin work from Simon. Broadcaster offer a wonderfully exciting instrumental version of the 60's "Lovers Concerto", which I can't see being bettered. Jamie O'Hara/Kieran Kane's "Just Lovin' You" is given a breathtaking arrangement, as is Kristofferson's "Darby's Castle". Naked Country offers 10 tracks in all, closing with a fabulous instrumental rendition of the tradition "Grandfather's Clock".

Along with the fine instrumentals of Pete and Simon, the addition of John Permenter on fiddle, Scott Whitley acoustic bass and Sean Kenny on backing vocals and incidental percussion, light up the album with their teasing radiance.

Graham Lees, Dewesbury, W.Yorks Write to | Website

1 Jan 2002