Tony Lucas: Vocals, 6 & 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, dobro, lap steel guitar, hammered dulcimar and banjo.
Dave Elmquist: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars.
Jim Gold: bass guitar and 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars.
Influences
John Prine, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snyder, Steve Earle and Neil Young.
Sounds Like
John Prine, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snyder, Steve Earle and Neil Young.
CD "First Tracks" is available at Great Falls Hastings or email us at: weski@bresnan.net ..............................................................................
We Ski Cousins unveil debut CD
perform Saturday at Bert & Ernie's
by: Pete Swanson ....................................................................................
With ski season expected to open this weekend at Showdown, it's only appropriate the We Ski Cousins unveil their debut album at the same time. The local folk group performs for a CD release party at Bert & Ernie's Saturday at 7 p.m.
The combo features Dave Elmquist on acoustic guitar and vocals; Tony Lucas on acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, dobro, banjo, hammered dulcimer and vocals; and Jim Gold on bass, acoustic guitar and vocals.
Eighteen months in the making, "First Tracks" contains 12 tracks of folk, Americana and bluegrass-flavored original material. "It's quite a variety," Elmquist says, adding he penned five of the album's songs, Lucas six, and Gold one. "I'm pretty proud of these songs. I think the lyrics are really strong."
Elmquist said the album's lyrical content offers both fun and reflective perspectives. Lucas' "Glory Hole" covers a history of mining in the Monarch and Neihart areas near Showdown. Elmquist's "Lottery Loser" takes a humorous look at playing the lottery and hoping for the big win.
The We Ski Cousins' genesis came about a dozen years ago via its members' shared passion for alpine skiing. In the early years, the band often set up in a corner of Bob's Bar in Neihart after skiing at Showdown and performed casually. "We never played the Top 40 stuff," Elmquist explains. "It's what we want only."
Later on the band became a regular attraction at Bert & Ernie's. During club dates, the group plays original music as well as cover material from artists such as John Prine, Guy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young.
Ironically, the release of the We Ski Cousins' first album also coincides with the impending departure of one of its members. Lucas is moving to California in early January for a new job. Elmquist says Lucas will be sorely missed. "He's just such an awesome player," Elmquist lamented, adding he and Gold will continue to perform. "We're gonna go back to our roots," he says. "I think we'll get energized and write some more, too."
Fittingly, the We Ski Cousins perform their last gig as a trio at Showdown on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. Sample the band's music via links at their Web site: www.weskicousins.com.
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The following is CD review from Lively Times by - Mariss McTucker
Cousins they’re not, just good pickin’ friends and ski buddies from Great Falls. The We Ski Cousins’ first effort, First Tracks, features guitars and more guitars, and good storytelling. The collection includes originals by all, with Tony Lucas and Dave Elmquist trading off on most of the songs.
Multi-picker and singer Lucas starts it off, with the slow saga “On and On (“a phone call ain’t a dime no more”). His banjo-backed mining song, “Glory Hole,” tells of the spot “where miners lose their soul”; and his folk-rock ballad, “Ride Against the Wind,” features great three-part harmonies.
In-between, Dave Elmquist sings his Ventures-sounding “Lottery Loser;” and his ballad, “Snow Angel,” about falling in love on the slopes. He sings-talks on “Sky Blue,” his gravelly voice providing nice counterpoint to Lucas’s mandolin stylings.
Jim Gold debuts his bluegrasser, “Tear Drop,” about the sadness of mistakes made, and having to pay for them, while Lucas slips and slides around on dobro. And Lucas’s “On the Road” canters along with the fellow who can’t stay in one place very long.
“When Frankie Went Down” is a wrenching tale about suicide. Lucas solos on acoustic guitar and sings in a slight whisper, so emotional he’s barely able to get the words out. That’s powerful storytelling.
Elmquist’s “Pond Tune” is delightful, and could be, should be, a children’s song. It features great lyrics, cool harmonies, and inventive hooks (“not about a boat”). Lucas’s introspective “I Should Have Known” rounds out the song list. Great production values from Lucas sparkle throughout. Let’s hope the cousins get more skiing in, and more albums out.
Visit the group at www.myspace.com/theweskicousins.
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