CD Review: Relièf: Leaves in the
Wind
This CD will be the Prize in
September’s Prize Draw.
 Ian Reynolds checks out the long-awaited
debut CD
Good Day Records GD-009-02 Close, But No Cigar CHECKING THROUGH BACK ISSUES, it’s probably fair to say that a certain Zbynek Bures has had more exposure in this august tome of ours than just about any other artist. Which is some tribute to the guy when you figure we’re about what’s happening in North West England, amongst people who play an essentially American form of music. He’s from The Czech Republic, after all... I won’t go over old ground. I reviewed Monogram’s gig at Mavis and Jack’s place; I reviewed a demo CD of Relièf; Arthur Robinson’s response to that was published and now, here we are. This outfit is no trick pony... Relièf’s first album, hot off the presses, is going to make a lot of friends for Zbynek and the boys so I’d bet on many more column inches being written about this excellent group. Leaves in The Wind provides irrefutable proof that - for God’s sake do you mind if I call him Zib? - that Zib is a songwriter of rare talent and sensitivity and he’s going places.
But this outfit are no one-trick pony. Musically, it’s hard to find fault. Artistically I’ve a few qualms, but these are the kind of qualms you have when David Beckham has the odd off day. Just because the guy’s one of the most accomplished football players in Europe, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t benefit from the odd blast of Fergie’s infamous ‘hairdryer’. Even class acts can do better, and that’s the crux of my opinion. This is good, but it might have been just a tad better: that tad you need to make the big names and the record companies take notice. I did find myself pumping up the bass... But let me come back to that, and consider the music. Track One rips the album open, a genuine toe tapper arranged - as all the tracks are - in a traditional bluegrass style. There are no Grier / Mitterhoff / Trishcka experimentations. On the contrary, it’s all a bit tried and trusted. Twilight is the first of Zib’s and when this track clicks in you know you’re on to something a bit special. I did find myself pumping up the bass a bit, and one criticism I would offer is that the album sounds a bit tinkly. I’d have loved to have heard Twilight - and the rest of the album, come to that - produced with more attack. Compare and contrast the production on Lou Reid’s Carolina Moon. It pokes you in the face and drives along like a semi in the desert. And anything Todd Phillips has produced... This stuff is delivered far more gently. Which may not be a bad thing. But I’ll be pumping up the bass. Doyle Lawson’s accolade says it all... Do Praise Jesus is the first of the Gospel tracks. You can hear Quicksilver picking up any one of them. Doyle Lawson’s accolade on the inside cover says it all: “This is some wonderful music from a group of fellows who sound as if they learned to pick in Kentucky, Tennessee or North Carolina,” he says. Ain’t Coming Home is the stand-out track for me, but it’s a close run thing. Lonely Nights and Hopeless Days has a tremendous feel and the title track is a classic too. To be honest, there’s not a bad track on the album. Vocally, the band are remarkable. They have the odd problem with intonation, but that’s the language difficulties for you. You know, they sing ‘dem’ when they mean ‘them’. But so what? We say Georgia when the residents call it Jaw-Juh. Huh? ...watch out Union Station Go Right Out is a magnificent unaccompanied four-parter, sung with style and feeling that rivals the Cox Family. I mean it, it’s that good. But it doesn’t sound as good and it’s down to production, which means it’s down to budget? One of these days, some one will give these guys carte-blanche on studio time (and Todd Phillips) and then - watch out Union Station. And now for some advice. Buy the album direct from the boys or by mail order [see ads]. Because if you take a look at the album sleeve before you buy, you might be put off. If I hadn’t been aware of the growing legend of this band I might not have played the CD when it dropped through the letter box. The art work has them scrubbed pink and dressed in suits and ties that a bank manager would think are dull. And this unlikely portrait is enclosed within a green frame that looks for all the word like a shamrock. You’d think this was a record by a bunch of novice priests from Minouth or somewhere. The oldest - unbelievably - is only 24 It’s truly awful. These lads need a stylist and fast. Unless they know better, I mean, if they see themselves playing church meetings in the Bible Belt maybe this is the required look. But these are good looking lads, the oldest - unbelievably - is only 24. And they’re dressing up for grandma’s birthday party. Oh dear, oh lor’. And those angelic smiles... ? I know they’re all trained musicians and are probably used to playing in orchestras dressed in black ties, but won’t someone tell them they can cut loose? cf. So Long, So Wrong cover. Lost sales, I fear. But if you only buy one bluegrass album by a new band this year, it has to be this one. (Even if it is a mere 39 minutes long). And you have to treat yourself to one of their up and coming concerts - see What’s On. So, in summing up, I’d say that Leaves in The Wind confirms 2 things: Zib is a top song writer and Relièf are a top band. Add a bit of attitude and a pinch of punch in the production and they could be really big news. They need better marketing and someone who understands image and they’ll be off. And you’ll be able to say you saw them when no-one had ever heard of them. Zib seems confident: “We are doing a lot of gospel stuff because we like it. We are not very religious, we don’t go to church on Sunday and so on, but I think there’s no reason why we shouldn’t do it as long as we and the audience like it. We are the only band in The Czech Republic that is able to do this. We are playing music to entertain and to enjoy it.” Fair enough. I enjoyed listening to it I wish them every success and some serious investment. Ian Reynolds is a freelance writer for national publications. Tel/Fax: 0161-740-2541 He also authored the Trischka, Mitterhoff & Mitteroff report in the March 1999 issue, and Arthur Robinson's reply in May 1999 NWBN This CD will be the Prize in September’s Prize Draw.
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