Tonight At The Arizona by The Felice Brothers
 

This is a discussion thread for the following album:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6t8A5Ma3G0...rs-tonight.jpg

This is Americana that takes a little from Dylan, a little from Springsteen, but still manages to carve out a territory, and individual voice of it`s own.
Like the cover photo, the music has a down-at-heel, somber beauty; usually mournful, but sometimes erupting into raucous celebration.

This album won a recent selection poll of http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...lbum-club.html - but of course everyone is welcome to join in the debate. :)

So, anyone have an opinion they want to share ?

On first listen after only a track or two I unfairly dismissed this album as a Bob Dylan clone. Thankfully it won the album club and I was forced to have a closer listen. Similarities to Dylan don't really go beyond a superficial reminiscence in accent. I found this album had an amicable and rough-hewn charm with a folky simplicity that appeals to my sensibilities. A nice addition to the FAIR club litany.

^ Hey, that`s a really good description of their sound, fazstp. I`m glad you stuck with them beyond your initial impression, because as you say, although his influence is obvious, they`re not just Dylan copycats.
I especially like the way their songs are dark and delicate at the same time and use just a few telling images to evoke the plight of the American underdog. This clip isn`t from Tonight At The A , although it sounds like it could`ve been; I`m putting it up so anyone can judge how these guys resemble, but ultimately differ from, Bob:-



Another constant comment about the FBs is that their live shows are not at all like their studio albums. If this next clip is typical, then it`s true; they throw themselves into an enthusiastic, ramshackle performance, just short of chaotic :-

Hope the EMTs were standing by to resuscitate that bass player. Looked like he was on his last legs.

^ :laughing: I had to play the clip again to notice that, but you`re right ; there`s one place where it looks like he`s in danger of toppling over completely.