How ballsy is it in 2013 to
open a CD with a Lawrence Welk cover? Can you still be totally cool? The answer
is Yes, as Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys prove on their new album, Pickin’ ‘N’ Clickin.’ They kick it off
with Welk’s “Champagne Polka,” starting it with a nice scream on fiddle before
jumping into some high-paced, energetic fun. Seriously, this is a wonderful
instrumental tune. Kick up your heels, spin your partner around, and reflect on
how sometimes life can just be so damn good.
The good times continue
with some great old grooves on “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.” I love the vocal line to
this tune, though it sure is difficult to sing along. Perhaps if I learned the
words… I can’t help but agree with the line, “No one but a lunatic would start a war.”
In “Gonna Get Out,” they
sing, “Oh baby, I’m not in love with you.”
Yes, it’s one of those great, fun, happy, heart-broken country songs. This is
an original tune, written by Gordie MacKeeman, and it’s one of my favorite
tracks. “You broke my heart, and that
ain’t right/You gave our love to another guy.” And any song that has the
phrase “Good riddance” is okay by me.
These guys do a great job
with the traditional tune “Old Joe Clark.” This is a fantastic, joyous bluegrass
jam, with some tremendous playing. Everyone gets a chance to shine on this
track.
This band can also do
excellent work on slower tunes. “Jim’s Lament” is a sweet, sad, slow and
beautiful instrumental track composed by Godie MacKeeman. They follow that with
the traditional “O’Halloran Road,” which features some nice vocal work.
They pick things up again
with another original, “Working Title,” written by Peter Cann. This is a
playful and delightful tune. “Do what you
want if it makes you feel fine/Do it all night if you’re so inclined.” This
song has me smiling every time I listen to it. And there’s a nice instrumental
section.
Another highlight is the
sly and seriously cool “Hay Boys,” with its great simple pounding rhythm, creating
the sounds of hard, repetitive work. Then pretty fiddle sections break it up.
This is a great song, with fairly simple but effective lyrics, such as “Sow, boys, or it ain’t gonna grow,
boys/Let’s grab a hoe or it ain’t gonna grow” and “Plow, boys, if the time will allow, boys/Best do it now, boys/Best do
it now.”
“Scrape The Paint” is
another that is great fun, with excellent vocals and some nice work on guitar.
It was written by Peter Cann. “There’s
work to be done/Before we have our fun/ And we’ll stay out all night long.”
I dig this line: “And all this rambling
round won’t get you into town.”
CD Track List
- Champagne Polka
- Ragtime Cowboy Joe
- Gonna Get Out
- Old Joe Clark
- Heroes Of The Sidewalk
- Jim’s Lament
- O’Halloran Road
- Working Title
- There Is A Time
- Hay Boys
- King Ganam Style
- Black Velvet Waltz
- Scrape The Paint
- Wildwood Flower
Musicians
Gordie MacKeeman And His
Rhythm Boys are Gordie MacKeeman on fiddle and vocals; Mark Geddes on bass,
drums, percussion, mandolin and banjo; Thomas Webb on bass, banjo, guitar, pedal
steel guitar and vocals; and Peter Cann on guitar and vocals.
Joining them on this
recording are Nathan Wiley on 12-string guitar, lap steel guitar, drums,
percussion, keys and harmony vocals; Dale Desroches on drums; Meaghan Blanchard
on harmony vocals; Hannah Rose on harmony vocals; Michael Pendergast on
accordion; Jon Matthews on low D whistle; and Mike Dixon on backing vocals.
Pickin’ ‘N’ Clickin’ was released on July 28, 2013. I hope I get a chance
to see this band perform live.
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