Moon Band - The Moon Band

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 8 / 6 / 2015

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Canadian duo the Moon Band release their debut on Chris Wade’s Wisdom Twins label, which is recommendation enough really. We have made no secret of our admiration for Wade and his Dodson & Fogg project. His passion for music which has its roots in the folk/psych of the 1960s and early 1970s has so far resulted in eight albums under the Dodson & Fogg banner which show that the multi-instrumentalist is one of the most talented yet underrated musicians of his generation. We knew then that Wade had immaculate taste in music, and by choosing the Moon Band for his label he has confirmed it further. Nicholas Tomlinson and Renee Forrester make up the Moon Band and between them they play sitar, fiddle, guitar, autoharp, banjo, recorders and keyboards, not the usual run of instruments for a contemporary band but telling of the type of sound the duo are aiming for and achieve so effortlessly. Given that label boss Wade has featured the sitar on a few tracks over the latest Dodson & Fogg albums, it can be said that the duo’s debut has expanded on a part of the sound that Wade has explored on his albums. And what a beautiful, captivating sound it is… Those who like the way pop music was influenced by the sounds of India in the 1960s will find much to love here. Renee Forrester has the perfect voice for this sound; the haunting, dreamy way her vocals float over the melodies of these enchanting songs make every second spent listening to the Moon Band a special moment. But first one criticism; there are times when the album could have benefitted from a less muddy production. Songs like ‘Fortunes’ Way’ where Nicholas Tomlinson shares lead vocals with Forrester suffer from sounding like it’s playing in the next room. That it still sounds better than any of the so-called lost albums that are currently being issued as prime examples of the psychedelic era makes that comment seem like nit-picking. Maybe it is, but ‘Fortunes’ Way’ is such a gem of a song and Forrester’s vocals so hauntingly captivating that given a little space and depth the track would have really shone. The single ‘Cedar People’ makes an appearance, and the Free Design on acid headlining an intimate free folk festival in the forest still comes to mind; mixing elements of folk and psych has rarely sounded so heady. Forrester’s beguiling wordless vocals at the close of the song coupled with Tomlinson’s outstanding sitar skills are a joy to hear. For those who experienced this sound first time around and have been looking for some new tunes to listen to look no further. It simply doesn’t get better than this. It’s what we’ve all been searching for. But it’s not classic psych/folk; the opening track ‘Comin’ Back Babe’ adds in country stylings to the mix which enables the duo to almost create a little genre of their own. While the melody and playing recall any number of folk/rock bands of the 1960s, what really sets the song apart is the way the vocals of Forrester and Tomlinson gel together. Also, being the first song many will hear from the Moon Band, the talent the duo display on their respective instruments is mightily impressive. ‘Silver and Gold’ is simply beautiful, evoking long, endless summers. Forrester’s vocals, simultaneously ghostly and inviting, are calling you through the forest again, always a few steps out of reach, while recorder and Tomlinson’s sitar gently glide you on your way. The imagery that both vocals and music, and not just only on this song but the whole album, conjure up in the listener's mind is unlimited. But when Forrester’s vocals take on an unsettling air as on ‘In the Pines Or by the Sea’, the effect on the listener is even more pronounced. The song sends chills down the spine but still leaves you wanting more. ‘Lazarus’ shows that there are hidden depths to the Moon Band. Rather than just rely on the psych/folk that they can seemingly create so perfectly in their sleep, what starts like a long-lost Appalachian ballad is given the full Moon Band treatment to chilling effect. Again their voices are as one as on this song while little background fills of sitar weave in and out, adding much to the overall atmosphere of the piece which takes your breath away. ‘In My Clothes’, drenched in sitar and tabla, is what our fading memories now fool us into thinking we were listening to in ’67. The truth is not much at the time was actually as mesmerising or affecting as this particular song. For a debut the Moon Band have released a set of songs that, while unashamedly recreating the sounds of a golden era in music perfectly, also bring a freshness and originality missing from many who try. That’s another one that will soundtrack a few summers.

Track Listing:-

1 Comin' Back Babe
2 Silver and Gold
3 Be it in the Pines or by the Sea
4 Fortunes Way
5 Cedar People
6 Lazarus
7 Old Friend
8 In My Clothes
9 Of the North
10 A Day Trip Around the Yard
11 Tobacco Farm
12 My Home

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/themoonbandpage
https://twitter.com/themoonbandpage

Label Links:-

http://wisdomtwinsbooks.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dodson-And-Fogg/282552805161916
http://wisdomtwinsbooks.weebly.com/dodson-and-fogg.html
https://twitter.com/dodsonandfogg
https://www.youtube.com/user/sofaguard

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