REVIEW – STONE ROW "ALIGNMENT" Self-released (2009)

Stone Row "Alignment", Self-released
Release date: 2009
Running time: 66:22, 14 tracks

Add the name of the band (Stone Row), the title of the album (Alignment) and the artwork. You will think that the band from Buffalo (NY) Stone Row is a Celtic new age band. Even if a few tracks are a little bit ethereal or have overdubbed vocals, Stone Row is not a Celtic new age band, but a folk rock band. A good folk rock band.

Stone Row is Kevin Auwarter (acoustic guitar, vocals), Glenn Bernardis (bass, vocals), Nick Corallo (drums, percussion, vocals), Katie Panfil (fiddle, vocals) and Dave Schmeidler (vocals, electric guitar). "Alignment" has been produced by Glenn at his own GB Audio studio.Six tracks are self-penned songs and the others are well known traditional songs.

The highlights of the album could be:

“South Australia”. The song begins with a didgeridoo and some tribal vocals. After that, some excellent rocking guitar and fiddle.

“Drink it Up”. The pace is not as fast as the Great Big Sea version, but it’s a great version. Glenn’s vocals are quite subtle and the instrumentation is also very good: acoustic guitar, mandolin and fiddle.

“Colors” is a sort of a Celtic pop song. It’s quite simple, but a nice song, with a good electric guitar playing and, obviously, a great fiddle. Kevin's vocals in this song.

“Night Visitor” is also sung by Glenn and it’s one of my faves. Every band member shine in this song

“Chicken Water”. A catchy instrumental featuring written by Dave.

“Morning Glory”. It seems an Albion Band song, or even better, an Oysterband number. In fact, the guitar sounds like that of Alan Prosser. Maybe the most British folk rock song of the album. I love it. Kevin's vocals again.

“Donald McGillivray” The classic Silly Wizard song (OK, it’s a traditional song,but who made it well-known?). Excellent vocals by Glenn, well backed by his great fellow musicians.

Apart from these songs, “Rocky Road to Dublin” features some Mike Oldfield style guitar playing and “She Moved Through the Fair” and “Alignment” have some Arabic influences à la Loreena McKennitt. “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” is also a good song, with a sound partially influenced by Fairport Convention.

Yes, Stone Row is a good Folk Rock band. Top-notch musicians and great arrangements of some standards. I don’t remember something similar in the USA, maybe Celtic Soul from Florida. But their sound was based mainly on the female vocals and the fiddle and Stone Row is more than that. The fans who enjoy Steeleye Span, but feel that their sound is a little bit old-fashioned won’t be disappointed with Stone Row. And the fans who like Loreena McKennitt’s atmospheres, but miss the rock influences should also check Stone Row.

Tracklist:

01. Rocky Road to Dublin 4:57
02. Singing Again 4:49
03. Bound For South Australia 4:34
05. Magic In His Hands 3:39
06. Raggle Taggle Gypsy 4:36
07. Colors 4:44
08. Night Visitor 3:53
09. She Moved Through the Fair 7:23
10. Chicken Water 3:58
11. Morning Glory 2:39
12. Poor Mans Blood 7:10
13. Donald McGillivary 3:39
14. Alignment 7:02

http://www.stonerow.com
http://www.myspace.com/stonerow
http://www.reverbnation.com/stonerow
http://www.facebook.com/Stonerow
http://twitter.com/#!/stonerowband

Click to buy from CDBaby:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/StoneRow

Review by Kinksmarkham

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