FOLLOWING IAN REYNOLDS kind and candid review of the Demo CD for this group (NWBN March 1999) I would like to reply to some of the questions on readers and listeners minds. First of all the name (pronounced Rel-ee-eff) means “different from the rest” and these boys are!

When Carmen Turner with help from myself brought over Monogram last year Zbynek Bures had already left the band to pursue his songwriting interest in both traditional bluegrass style and gospel numbers. He fulfilled his agreement to complete the tour as the band was already rehearsed and ready for the tour.

The Jahoda Bros and Jacub Racek the “Monogram” band members had decided to move on from traditional Bluegrass to their personally favoured Western Swing Mode and Jazz influenced numbers, rearranging many US standards.

Because Zbynek had written many of Monograms repertoire he left by mutual agreement to concentrate on “Relief” to remain in the authentic traditional influences, where he plays his main instrument the Banjo.

Whilst on that tour and during a few quite hours he told me about his “Other” band and sang me, unaccompanied, 2 or 3 songs he had just written. I realised there was more than just a passing talent to this guy.

After the tour Zbynek sent me a tape, some lyrics and some background notes to all the songs he has written with a request to review them and listen to a live performance of Relièf. I was stunned by the material and tape, which was recorded on a home cassette recorder with just one verse and chorus of each song 32 songs in all, some of which featured on the Monogram CD. I can honestly say that there was only one number I wasn’t keen on, but all the rest could be a classic bluegrass - it took about three weeks for me to take it all in.

Tomas, Pavel, Zbynek and Jin: Reliéf

I made my next trip to the Czech Republic to coincide with the top Czech Kopidlno Festival where Relièf, Monogram and all the top Czech bands were to perform. I first visited Zbynek’s house to meet the other members of Relièf on a band practice evening. It was really informative, revealing the personalities of the Boys and the quality of singing and musicianship.

The Kopidlno Festival was a tremendous affair with many really talented bands and plenty of future band material for the UK - this was my 5th visit, which I also used for talent spotting. The performance of Relièf was outstanding and convinced me that they would be my next big “must see” recommendation to UK Festival organisers.

Organising a tour is a big commitment and Carmen felt it too much this time, with her work and other personal commitments, so I have began the process myself to bring them over this summer. They’re scheduled to appear at both the East Anglian and North Wales Festivals, with a couple of gigs in between and 3 gigs after the North Wales event. The full list will be available nearer the tour and subject to work permits.

More on Ian’s enquiries: They are there to entertain and in the nearest tradition of American bands as they see it! Just remember the Old Czechoslovakia was under communist rule for almost 25 years! Any reference to the culture and lifestyle of the “West” was heavily suppressed. The little exposure they’ve had to American Festivals is mainly via the odd video and pictures in mags and books. The jackets and ties are an attempt to appear “smart” on stage rather than in every day joggers, “T” shirts and open toed sandals.

I asked Zbynek if they were religious, as the songs are sung with feeling and true reverence. The answer was surprisingly “no”, but it is as Ian suggests, another attempt at authenticity and I believe them!

An analysis of some of their Gospel songs can be directly traced to Bible stories. They don’t wish as a band to appear irreverent, but they genuinely like the concept of American Bluegrass and Gospel songs. Zbynek sent some of his songs to Doyle Lawson and has received a favourable reply.

With around 40 Bluegrass bands in the Czech and Slovak republics there is much diversification. Some of the more successful bands are now moving away from the traditional style, introducing of a variety of instruments not in the Bluegrass style, such as drums, saxophones, keyboards, pedal steel and woodwind. But Relièf are keeping the traditional side of Bluegrass!

A little pen picture of the boys whose average age is 21 begins with 19-year-old Zbynek Bures who is the 5 string Banjo player and in some numbers plays fingerpick Guitar. He also plays Dobro and of course Double bass. His early influences in music began as a student of the Clarinet. He writes most of the songs and arranges the traditional and cover numbers. He sings lead and in the harmonies he sings the Bass part, but his range is such he can sing all the parts.

Thomas Dvorak at 21 yrs old is an excellent Mandolin and Guitar player (with the famous composers name) and his unique playing style fits the band perfectly, he sings lead and in the harmonies he sings lead and Baritone parts.

Jiri Holoubek at 23yrs old is the Guitar player with an abundance of talent and is a professional Flute player trained at the Prague Academy, He sings lead and carries the Baritone part of the Harmonies. His brother, is, by the way another of my luthier friends making wonderful instruments and has supplied a dobro to Sally Van Meter.

Pavel Peroutka is also 19yrs old and the (Good looking) Bass player and has been awarded Bass player of the year many times by the Czech Bluegrass Music Association’s annual poll of Top players. He is the Tenor vocalist, singing lead, solo and high harmony parts.

Relièf is producing a full length CD in time for the tour and will include Bluegrass and Gospel numbers; I’m sure will be a great CD. I will have a limited number of the 5 song Demo CDs for sale at £5 after the tour promotion is complete.

I think it would be a big mistake to miss this band’s tour. I believe the final itinerary can be reached from most parts of the country. And note that they agreed with me to come to the UK first before taking up an invitation to tour in the USA!!!

As a footnote there may just be a spare gig date available after the North Wales Festival, call me if you are interested in having them at your venue.

1st May 1999