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| LET EM RUN � THE BILLS Borealis Records 2004 Formerly known as The Bill Hillies, these musically-accomplished West Coast �Brothers� - Bill Mandolin, Bill Guitar, Bill Fiddle III, Reverend Bill Bass and Bill Violin � can hardly be blanketed under the category of �roots/traditional� music. They may use typifying instruments as their tools, but their musical hijinks are on par with that of any classical symphony orchestra! That being said, it�s no surprise that this band has won multiple award (including a Juno for Best Roots and Traditional Album of the Year). Unfortunately, the Junos just haven�t come up with an award name yet that would do this band�s creative diversity any justice. This blending of styles is witnessed right from the get-go on the appropriately-titled �Ouverture� (subtitled Let Em Run), which also works in a nod to the genius of Scott Joplin. The actual title track is quintessentially �country�, alternately recalling �Thank God I�m a Country Boy� and �Fox on the Run� in its rhythm lines. In recommending this CD for any true lover of music in general, I�d say it scores the most points in the exquisite five-part harmonies and dynamics employed in the fairly busy but immensely pleasing scores. These musical vignettes are all delivered in a theatrical and passionate manner by lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Frye, in collaboration with multi-instrumentalists Marc Atkinson (who records and tours with his own trio), Adrian Dolan (performing on fiddle, piano and accordion), bass-boss Glen Manders and violinist Jeremy Penner (formerly fronting Scruj Macduhk). There is also a more than a slight European (particularly Parisian) sensibility in a few of the songs, as well as the outright Acadian influence of �Oeil au Beurre Noir�. Whether you�re into Zydeco, Calypso, Gypsy-Jazz and Celtic reels, Klondike honky-tonkers, sailors� dirges or Spanish ballads, this CD is coast-to-coast Canadian-branded fun! |
| LET EM RUN - THE BILLS CD REVIEW |
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