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Evolver by The Mammals
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fave it Traditional Folk | Folk Rock
14 tracks | 60 minutes
Released Jun 2002
on Humble Abode Music
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:29 Way Down The Old Plank Road lyrics BUY MP3 02:29 Way Down The Old Plank Road lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:29 Way Down The Old Plank Road
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:30 House Carpenter/Pipeline lyrics BUY MP3 04:30 House Carpenter/Pipeline lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:30 House Carpenter/Pipeline
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:06 69 Pleasant St lyrics BUY MP3 04:06 69 Pleasant St lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:06 69 Pleasant St
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:05 John Brown's Dream lyrics BUY MP3 04:05 John Brown's Dream lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:05 John Brown's Dream
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:16 1952 Vincent Black Lightning lyrics BUY MP3 04:16 1952 Vincent Black Lightning lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:16 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:55 Lady Margaret lyrics BUY MP3 03:55 Lady Margaret lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:55 Lady Margaret
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:39 Stairway to the Stars lyrics BUY MP3 02:39 Stairway to the Stars lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:39 Stairway to the Stars
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:36 Wandering Boy lyrics BUY MP3 02:36 Wandering Boy lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:36 Wandering Boy
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:09 Chinese Irishman lyrics BUY MP3 03:09 Chinese Irishman lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:09 Chinese Irishman
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 10:45 Infinity Medley lyrics BUY MP3 10:45 Infinity Medley lyrics "GIFT MP3" 10:45 Infinity Medley
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:52 Profit lyrics BUY MP3 03:52 Profit lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:52 Profit
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:26 City Never Sleeps lyrics BUY MP3 04:26 City Never Sleeps lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:26 City Never Sleeps
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:34 Haircut Money lyrics BUY MP3 03:34 Haircut Money lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:34 Haircut Money
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:01 Industrial Park lyrics BUY MP3 06:01 Industrial Park lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:01 Industrial Park
Old-time traditional folk music has evolved. TRAD IS RAD . . . Fiddle & banjo melodies, haunting ballads, & contemporary lyric-driven songs.
Editorial review
The veritable supergroup of folk offspring the Mammals' debut release, Evolver, showcases the trio's desire to push traditional folk music into the next century. Tao Rodriguez-Seeger (grandson of Pete Seeger) and Ruth Ungar (daughter of Grammy-award-winning fiddler Jay Ungar) team up with singer/songwriter Michael Merenda and with the help of a handful of friends and studio musicians create a warmly inviting collection of original tunes and updated traditionals. Highlights include a subdued version of Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" and the handful of Merenda-penned songs, all of which have an almost Guthrie-esque (if another folk legend can fit on this disc) honesty and humor to them. The band's only misstep comes when they try to push rock-style drumming too far into a couple of songs, almost rebelliously proving that they are not tied to the traditional structure of folk music. Small quibbles aside, the album stands as a fine document of these musicians' accomplishments in the studio and points to fine futures for all involved. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
"Evolver" is the first studio album by The Mammals. Their earlier live CD "Born Live" and newer studio CD "Rock That Babe" are also available on CD Baby.
In 2002, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Michael Merenda, and Ruth Ungar welcomed the recording studio into their living room and collaborated with producer/engineer Max Feldman to create this varied and ground-breaking gem.
Many tracks are sparsely arranged for fiddle, banjo, and guitar. Others incorporate bass, drums and overdubs - a forshadowing of things to come on later recordings.
The vocals are captivating, the music toe-tapping, the songwriting poignant, and the arrangements of traditional and classic songs, "Lady Margaret," "Way Down the Old Plank Road," and "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" overflow with energy and originality.
Guest musicians on this CD include: Lyn Hardy, Aoife O'Donovan, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Ken Maiuri, Sarah Lee Guthrie, and Johnny Irion.
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