For their third full length CD Duluth, MN’s own Two Many Banjos once again enlisted Rich Mattson (2006 Minnesota music award producer of the year) to produce the set in his Iron Range studio. As opposed to their sophomore effort ‘Trouble in Paradise’ these songs are more upbeat, playful and full of life. The songs were recorded live with minimal overdubs albeit the occasional tambourine or shaker accompaniment. ‘Give Me Time’ will be released October 7, 2008.
The band members are the same as always with the exception of the mighty Steve Garrington (Low, Retribution Gospel Choir) who filled in on upright duties while TMB resident bass player Karl Anderson took time off to raise a child. Marc Gartman once again wrote the material on the CD, Dave Carroll (Trampled By Turtles) brought along his finest 5 string prowess, jillian Lantry cooked on her fiddle and percussion pro Lane Prekker (Charlie Parr) danced his fingers away on the washboard. Again, up to Sparta, MN they went and in one day’s time the record was done.
The songs on ‘Give Me Time’ are an eclectic bunch. The sounds of a band having fun just to be playing with one another are clear from Gartman’s overheard countdown on track 1 and the pace keeps up throughout the entire disc. The good-humored ‘Advice on Choosing the Right Mattress’ and ‘Ditto Kiddo’ start the CD off on a cheerful note. The next couplet of tunes ‘Give Me Time’ and ‘God Forgives You’ delve into musical territory TMB had yet to venture on record; percussive, dark and grooving the music is folk but it’s rock, too. ‘Raising Hell’ features the first acoustic guitar on a Two Many Banjos CD and also a blistering solo from guitar maestro Rich Mattson (Ol’ Yeller). ‘You’re a Dreamboat’ tackles the musical styling of 1930’s dance-hall with the hottest washboard solo this side of the washing machine. Crowd favorite ‘Charlie Parr’ gets its (his?) recorded debut here, a nod to whom Alan Sparhawk calls ‘one of the greatest musicians and human beings I know’. Indeed.
‘Give Me Time’ is the third CD in an ambitious songwriting workout that will see the band release 4 full lengths in two year’s time. ‘Can’t Slow Me Down’ will be recorded in October 2008 with Rich Mattson, to be released in April 2009. While this may mean their recording output will curb by no means will the band slow at all. The show will go on with more time on the road and less in the studio. Marc Gartman plans to release a solo record in the coming months and Dave’s Trampled By Turtles have their own CD that is set for release this fall.
Well I left the last comment - oh well ;) Log Jam photos are finished now. You'll have to keep me updated on your progression across this country of ours, and when you plan your world tour you better include Kazakhstan hehehe. And Ryan is charge of sending me all the CD's, so if you could one to him, that would be fabulous!!
Bella Sol photos are finished! Hope you got your tambourine back, I remember someone took it from me (I think) and then I don't remember. I blame those White Iron boys though - whiskey. Hope to see ya'll soon.
Soooo, I just realized you guys will be playing a show on the 25th, randomly the 1 night I'll be in duluth again. I can't wait, you guys make me dance.
Hey Gang, It was really nice to see you Friday Night and I really REALLY want to thank you for helping to get a music scene finally started here in St Cloud... Please come back soon and you won't have to be such Pioneers this time...
I also want to let you know that I have a lot of new music coming here.
Drew Peterson of forty watt and Javier Matos of Hud this Thursday, 3.6.08. forty watt <-- "click" Hud <-- "click"
Hey guys, so I'm a part of MPIRG at UMD, we are a grassroots non-profit org. that promotes a better world! We support sustainable lifestyles, fair trade and organic products, and we like to help the homeless of Duluth and promote affordable housing. On April 25th and 26th, we are hosting the Free Democracy Summit - a weekend of art, education, and inspiration. I see you are playing at Luce on the 25th. We would like to set up a table at your concert to let people know what are are working for and hopefully inspire others to take action on what they care about! Do you think this sounds like a good idea to you? Let me know what you think!! ~Emily
It was great to finally have a chance to hear you all play last Thursday. The photos from that evening are finished and posted at: www.flickr.com/photos/jennbaechle Hope to see you again soon, Jenn
What an Absolutely Wonderful Show Last Night! Thank You So Much For Coming to St Cloud!! And more importantly, Thanks for being such nice People! All of You.....!
