Spuyten Duyvil
Album: The Social Music Hour Vol.1
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.spuytenduyvilmusic.com

Named for an area in the Bronx, as per the album subtitle, this six piece turn their attention to traditional American folk and blues, swamp dirty opening track Keep Your Skillet Good and Greasy, with growling vocals by lead vocalist Beth Jamie Kaufman, pretty much sums up the mood and style throughout. Taking the uptempo numbers first, Kaufman and guitarist/banjo player Mark Miller swap vocals on a stomping mash up of Hot Time In The Old Town and Civil War tune Praeching On The Old Campground, harmonica wails through carnie spiritual Daniel, while elsewhere you get Reno Factory, a jug band blues romp with throaty vocals from Miller, a skittering Fishin' Blues, a twangy guitar hoedown romp through Make Me A Pallet with Miller's teenage daughter Denna on vocals and, finally, a down and dirty, funk disco groove reimaging of Stewball with Miller's sleazed, heavy breathing vocals prompting comparisons to Alabama 3.

Looking on the slower side, there's a strong Guthrie feel to their folk waltzing campfire take on Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet?, a light 70s folk rock account of Lord Franklin with Kaufman showing the sweeter side of her vocals, a suitably dark and fog-shrouded gothic reading of the ghost story chestnut Barbara Allen, a soulful sway through cross dressing heroine Civil War love song The Cruel War and, with guitarist Ric Mercaldi taking the spotlight, an authentically Big Pink era Band-like treatment of Elizabeth Cotton's O Babe It Ain't No Lie.

I suspect that it probably works best in some hot and sweaty club, but, recorded, on analog, pretty much live with the full band, there's certainly the energy and invention here to keep you satisfied should they never pass your way in person.

Mike Davies