THE O’S –WE ARE THE O’s (Idol Records)

[Maurice Hope]

THE O’S –WE ARE THE O’s (Idol Records)

www.wearetheos

Understated and a little off-kilter Taylor Young and John Pedigo play a list of instruments between them as The O’s utilise traditional folk country in a good honest fashion.
On first listen their music for me doesn’t pull up any trees maybe it was because I feel I had heard it all before. As the likes of the Bad Livers and other string-based units Highwood String Band came to mind and then it struck me. Innovativeness of their music registered and the light came on.
Playing as a duo the boys deliver such worthy entries as the heart-tugging ‘I Still Wait’ that with banjo, and a whole mess of accompaniment featuring guitar, harmony vocals and a fine lead the music on occasions is raw and feisty as the lyrics bleed.
With banjo a major influence Young and Pedigo though leaning more towards that of heartache they also do a spot of free and easy rambling. As on ‘We’ve Had Everything’ and on forcing it a little more ‘One Way Ticket’ plus a stripped down but nevertheless sharp ‘Diamonds’. At their best these The O’s perform music every bit as pure and sharp as the Old Crow Medicine Show did when they first burst on the scene earlier this decade!
One minute like already noted above I am unsure of the direction and how The O’s will or are likely to go and the next I find myself thinking they need to add something to the mix to make it. Good as they boys play and juggle guitar, kick drum, tambro, harmonica, xylophone and lowebro. ‘Together’ containing classy slide guitar and tunes in general like it would certainly help take the duo to the next level and, on that note I shall end.
Maurice Hope






PS If you've enjoyed the music and this review, please share it with your face book, myspace, twitter and indeed anyone you think would be interested in your address book from the share button below left. Lets get these Shoes Flyin. Editor