Ancient Harmony
09/08/09
What’s in a name? Since Ancient times, people have gathered in tribal groups to work together, but also to play and dance to musical vibrations and commune in Harmony with one another.
Ancient Harmony…… A Southadelic band of brothers creating rhythms, melody, harmony, and yes, Joy - Live and in real-time. As Harmonites, we invite one and all to join in, share, and celebrate our collective creative energies as we gather at clubs, theaters, and festivals to smile and shake our bones to this music.
Out of the 60’s, new forms of music evolved which combined folk, blues, early rock, and improvisational jazz. That coincided with the rediscovery of the healing and creative powers released when people gather to dance and sing and Turn On Their Lovelights. The band Ancient Harmony both honors and moves forward out of this tradition. Each talented player creates, improvises, and merges into ONE to channel the audience and band energies into the notes and spaces, creating musical orgasms thru anticipatory tension and blissful release.
Founding member Shell Stamps, guitarist extraordinaire and vocalist, lays down a uniquely personal style and tone, yet one informed and influenced by Jerry Garcia and popular ‘slow-hand’ players such as David Gilmore, Eric Clapton, and Mark Knopfler. His playing thrills listeners with a sensibility and effortless capacity to take a melody and turn it into a soaring, inspirational journey.
Founding member Steve Patton, bassist supreme, channels the melody while living in the pocket. Sometimes he turns a groove into a poly-rhythmic landscape, other times he floats a subtle soundstage, or thunders with the best of them. The intuitive, nearly telepathic, long-term musical relationship between Shell and Steve is the core of the Ancient Harmony experience.
Chad Jackson, drummer, writer, and vocalist, adds creativity to the mix as a true equal, resulting in an exquisitely balanced trio of improvisers where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Influenced by Rush's Peart, Genesis’ Collins, and Zepp’s Bonham, Chad’s style is precise, metronomic, yet still surprisingly fluid, while infused with a clear, spiritual vibration that informs his lyrics and onstage energy.
The Audience is the final member of this band. We all bring our personal life-stories and energies to these gatherings. I personally discovered and connected to the power and mind-expanding creativity in this band and music during a performance of their signature tune Memory at a historic, outdoor Music Park under the raging nighttime cauldron of racing clouds in a near-miss-hurricane sky. The band’s performance was totally in sync with Nature’s awesome display. Ancient Harmony? Indeed.
(Words mostly by ‘Mountain Jim’ Lyle with contributions by Ben Nelson and Jason King)
Bibb City Ramblers @ RED LIGHT CAFE Nov 12 @ 9
BCR Redlight Tonight @9 ATLANTA GA
Bluegrass Thursday Bibb City Ramblers 9pm
The RedLight Cafe
553 Amsterdam Ave
Atlanta, GA 30306
Bill Hoover - Phone: 404.874.7828
You guys were amazing last night! I had to listen to the second set from my tent because of the killer mosquitoes but it still sounded amazing. You guys are too cool in my book for coming out in the woods to entertain us!!!
Hey you sexy boys!!! Yes... this is actually Shana!!! I know, take a deep breath and register this moment! I love the shit out of you guys and I apologize sincerely for slipping out into space and not being actively involved in the world you guys have entered into!! I miss every one of you more than you could ever imagine! I just came across something that informed me that you guys are now a trio, and I am ashamed that I am just now taking the necessary actions to see what you guys are doing in your world and if I had been paying attention to my band then I would be aware of the major changes in my bands world. I take full responsibility for not being up to date. That being said... I need for someone, anyone, to fill me in on what led up to the changes that ended in a trio!! I know I've been slack, but I am very much a hardcore enough fan, and I feel that I deserve to be updated on the band that changed my life forever and completely!!! I love and miss the shit out of every single one of you, fellow fans and especially my band members whom I love with every fiber of my being. Miss and love you dearly... Oh and by the way, I am getting married and want all of you to be there, so I will need addresses, please and thank you. Much love and Harmony to you all... Shana
Thank you for your friendship. As well as for the experience of your art. I love it! May the divine blessings of the cosmos shed boundless love upon you. Infinite bliss and happiness to you, my friends. Be well, and be one
I wrote a song about Mike Littleton, featured 2nd in my myspace line-up of kik-ass tunes. It is about my memories of him, but also about the great tradgedy. God bless his family...may they soon be reunited.
Aaww, that default picture just made me smile......
