WOODY PINES —COUNTING ALLIGATORS (Self-released)

[Maurice Hope]

www.woodypines.com Woody Pines are a fresh and relatively new ensemble. Counting Alligators is the third album from the Woody Pines fronted band (by the way that isn’t his real name) on guitar, harmonica and lead vocals with Zack Pozebanchuk on upright bass, Rennie Elliot and Andy Tubb on drums plus guests. Although noted as only a guest, fiddler Darin Gentry I understand like with drummer who is not featured at all, Nathan Taylor but a paid-up member will be with the band when they are over.

Joining the band, Pines has old friend, Gil Landry (Old Crow Medicine Show) on harmony vocals and slide guitar with whom he formed The Kitchen Syncopators. Plus, we also have fellow OCMS member Ketch Secor (fiddle) who may only be on a couple of cuts but they are a couple of good ones. First off there is ‘Walking Down The Road’ that sounds like it could have been written fifty years ago or even longer but wasn’t. For it sounds music that Woody Guthrie or Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s cousin would do. Secondly, the infectious ‘Chew Tobacco Rag’ (Billy Briggs) offers a mix of Louisiana, jug band music and on staying with Pine’s own creations ‘Cocaine Bill’, the blues styled ballad ‘Crazy-Eyed Woman’ and the sweetly picked ‘All Over Now’. Coupled with another song of his, title track ‘Counting Alligators’ that sounds something like BR5-49 meets the OCMS his worth as a songwriter is underlined.

Woody, an accomplished acoustic guitar picker takes the listener back to the days of great blues act Mississippi John Hurt via a superb cover of ‘Satisfied’ —what a great touch.
‘Casey Jones’ with Darin Gentry sawing on fiddle coupled with slide, upright bass and with the album a good mix of old and new and likewise not all of the same ilk the listener enjoys a fine cross-section of work. That will I am sure sound better still live —since Woody Pines are one of those acts who’s music generates energy, good-time friday come saturday night music!
Maurice Hope

STOP PRESS ; WOODY PINES TOUR WALES, ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND MARCH 19-APRIL6th —SEE BELOW