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Chris Bramble Band: "For Those With Eyes to See"

By Paul Liberatore

Posted: 03/26/2010 01:00:00 AM PDT



The influence of the Grateful Dead is all over this fine CD, the sophomore effort from a Sonoma County band carrying the torch of psychedelic folk rock.
Chris Bramble, a long-haired singer-songwriter in Lennonesque glasses, wrote all 11 songs on “Those With Eyes to See,” the title taken from a line in “Grey Clouds,” a poetic song with atmospheric, existential lyrics rooted in images of nature.
Singing in a pure, serviceable tenor and strumming acoustic guitar, Bramble leads his band in creating a sound that one fan aptly described as “symphadelic.”
Bramble's band — Ananta DeTally on violin, bassist Paul Lamb, drummer Bradley Leach and percussionist Paul Best — romps through a range of styles — New Orleans funk on “Johnny & Darlene,” West African Highlife on “Won't Get Lost That Way,” Celtic rock on “Queen's Ransom” and good old Northern California trance-dance hippie stomp improvisation on the opening track, “This Is the Last Time.”

Bramble mixes story songs and love ballads with social commentary in “Never Say Never,” a lament about greed and depravity, and anti-war sentiments in “Birds of War,” with the opening lines: “There are children caught in the crossfire/Forgotten in the bloody muck and mire.” He lightens the mood with “Nine Miles Down,” a groove-heavy tune that invites the band's Deadhead fans to sing along on the chorus.

Further cementing the Grateful Dead connection, the CD package features art work by Stanley Mouse, who created the Dead's signature skull and roses.
Buy It: “For Those With Eyes to See,” Chris Bramble Band, www.chrisbramble.com; $15.
Hear them: The Chris Bramble Band will launch the CD at a benefit for Food Not Bombs at 8 p.m. March 26 at Guayaki Mate Bar and Cafe, 6782 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol; $10.

Fans of West Coast Psych mellowness, The grateful Dead as they moved into their country tinged faze and quality songwriting in general, should definitely check out the music of Chris Bramble, a man who wears the Dead influence proudly on his sleeve without being a slavish copyist.


Opening with the softly spoken love song of “This is the Last Time”, the music draws you in, a dancing violin adding depth to the relaxed feel, the whole thing shimmering with a sixties vibe. Adding that country tinge, “Johnny and Darlene” could be an outtake from “American Beauty”, so similar is its feel and construction, the tune benefiting from some great playing, something that is a feature of the whole album.


As beautiful as dappled sunlight, “Grey Clouds” charms with its understated guitar, a restless piano and fine vocal performance, whilst the mellow funkiness of “Never say Never” has some excellent organ touches running through its veins, the song driven by some very precise drumming from Bradley Leach.


Moving on the spirit of Jerry stalks the room, chuckling to himself, as “Words Left Behind” weaves its country charm, whilst the percussion filled “Won't Get Lost That Way” is a completely joyous experience.


As good as all this is though, the album steps up several gears for the ten minute cosmic ramble of “Birds of War”, a protest song with immense power and atmosphere, the band pulling out all the stops to convey their message, the instrumental passage swirling with sixties energy and passion.


Filled with sweetness, the cover designed by Stanley Mouse and part of the proceeds going to Food Not Bombs, there is no reason not to buy this disc and fill your BBQ with positive vibes and a good-time feel, bring on summer. (Simon Lewis)

Chris Bramble

Chris Bramble's 'For Those With Eyes To See' invites us to share his uplifting positive musical vibe. And given the socially conscious messages, potential spiritual enlightenment and moments of essential West Coast psychedelia and Space Rock, there's plenty to admire.

However, if there's a down side it is simply that Chris stretches his stylistic canvas a little too diversely. The music is never less than excellently played with the lyrics straight from the heart, but there's a little too much variety that leads to confusion and dashed expectations rather than fulfilment.

Consider for example the brace of opening tracks that sit comfortably in the

Grateful Dead meets the Jefferson Airplane, West Coast mould. The meandering guitar and impassioned vocals nuances Jerry Garcia while there's Cajun and New Orleans feel to 'Johnny & Darlene', on which Chris Rovetti's fiddle takes centre stage. So far so good and he follows that with 'Grey Clouds', a fleshed out folk arrangement with psychedelic pretensions on the back of some long Dave Gilmour style guitar lines full of judicious echo reverb.

But then Chris seems to lose the big picture. Perhaps he simply wishes to extend his goodwill vibe into different musical directions. On the one hand he settles for the soft rock option of 'Never Say Never' before redressing the balance slightly with the Moog led funky groove and Space Rock feel of 'Lessons Unlearned' before a gentle plaintive country tinged 'Words Left Behind'.

Chris continues down the folky diversion of the Richard Thompson style 'Nine Miles Down' which is a nice melody full of restrained organ, delicate acoustic guitar, mandolin and a vocal that just about makes it. But as the band heads into a Paul Simon style Caribbean feel on 'Won't Get Lost That Way' they are in danger of losing their potential audience. They partially redress the balance with the Celtic undertones of 'Queens Ransom' and save their very best for the ten minute psychedelic epic 'Birds of War' which is so good it's worth purchasing the CD for this track alone.

Imagine an expansive spacey groove along the lines of Gong meets Hawkwind, with Floydian slide guitar and inevitably a Grateful Dead jam style feel topped by some lovely cymbal work and in this case Chris's fine emotive vocals. The lyrics might be slightly doomy but you'd have to go along way to hear a better exposition of psychedelic rock.

****

Review by Pete Feenstra

West County Gazette
"Laugh at the Wind"

I just had the pleasure of listening to the new, and I believe first CD released by Chris Bramble titled "Laugh at the Wind." I've known this man for years but had never heard his music. My immediate reaction was how perfectly his personality translates into melody, rhythm and
lyrics. He is a positive, sweet and delightful human being. Light and tender, conscious and kind. His music dances happily across the strings of his guitar. It's sunshine and blue skies on a warm day. Lilting guitar solos, light and complex percussion, hypnotic violin, lyrics that speak from his heart. What a perfect translation of man into music.

What is also a delight is the impression that his band are of the same mind, heart and spirit. The blend of instruments is well balanced, no one is vying for attention. Harmony in their harmonies. This CD is surprisingly well-produced for home brew. It's an excellent example of how modern technology allows musicians to reproduce their music for many to enjoy without the politics, etc. of the music industry. When you purchase the CD, you support the musicians directly. Sweet.

Weekly Volcano
Folk Rock - Chris Bramble Band

Political awareness and social consciousness were the driving forces behind the majority of the 60's and early 70's music scenes. Singers and songwriters were outspoken critics of the unjust war in Vietnam, women's rights and environmental issues. What happened? Why don't artists today speak to the pressing issues that plague the world? Even U2 has gotten lax. With a moppy head of hair and Lennon-esque spectacles, Chris Bramble lets his freak flag fly while he pens tunes that would make Pete Seeger proud. However, rather than spewing out protest songs, his music has an exceedingly positive vibe, both lyrically and musically, Influenced by such diverse artists as Bob Marley, John Coltrane and early Grateful Dead, the Chris Bramble Band is self-described as danceable, improvisational, inspirational folk-rock. The psychedelic quintet of Terry Ann Gillette (violin), Paul Lamb (bass), Bradley Leach (drums), Paul Best (percussion) and Bramble on guitar, vocals and unisonix released its debut "Laugh at the Wind", in 2006. The disc effortlessly blends reggae, folk, traditional Appalachian and Celtic, and jam band influences together. While they may be out of step with pop culture, they are a refreshing change of pace from the superficial mainstream.

Bohemian
Spirit of the Dead live on in singer-songwriter Chris Bramble

"They're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones who do what they do" read a billboard on the side of San Francisco's Winterland, where the Grateful Dead played many of their epic shows. Anyone who ever reveled in one - or more likely many - of the Dead's bacchanalian extravaganzas will agree. The ecstasy of the Dead's seemingly never-ending tour concluded in 1995 with the death of lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. Other members of the Dead have soldiered on, but the true spirit of the Dead has been kept alive by less corporate musicians such as Sonoma County's Chris Bramble.

The singer-songwriter and guitarist has just released his debut cd "Laugh At the Wind", a celebration of Dead-inspired sentiments celebrating everything from the beauty of a red-tailed hawk's wing to the stumbles we make as we navigate the roads of life. Bramble's guitar carries the album on its merry way, through the Calypso-infused "We Dance the Night Away", which would be right at home on a David Lindley album, to a song dedicated to the late eco-activist Judi Bari ("And the Sky Cried"). Another strong influence is Fairport Convention. The folkie ballad "Widow's Tears" would make Richard Thompson proud.

Bramble plays feel-good music without getting sappy. And, like the Dead's music, as inspriring as it is on disc, Bramble's artistry is best enjoyed live. To spread the positive vibrations, Bramble and his band are headlining a show on Jan. 20 to benefit Food Not Bombs, a grassroots organization that provides free vegetarian food to hungry people across the globe. Opening the show is Madera Humana, playing what they call "California gypsy grass."

"Cool people getting their hands dirty doing what it takes to take care of people who are at their lowest and scratching for enough to eat," Bramble says when describing Food Not Bombs. "Some of their people have been tortured in foreign countries because they are taken as revolutionaries-which they are, just non-violent ones."

This, too, hews to to the spirit of the Dead, a band that donated generously to such groups as Seva and Rainforest Action Network. But, unlike most big-time benefits with triple-digit ticket prices, Bramble's show is just 10 bucks. Not bad for a night that promises a good time and supports a worthy cause.

Filled with infectious spirit, positivity, and intelligent, heartfelt peace-and-love messages, Chris Bramble's "Laugh at the Wind" could win fans on its lyrics alone. But add in the irresistibly danceable psychedelic-folk-rock mix and you're talking about more than mere message music here: Bramble creates a sonic party to delight brain, soul, and tapping toes. Just surrender and enjoy.

-- Natalie Davis, Grateful Dread Public Radio

Zone Music
hey I totally enjoyed the CD -- very well recorded and great sounds -- love the vibe of unleash the dawn -- a lot (of) very touching (songs) here, quiet joy, child of mine. My fav tune is other side -- most radio ready for alt stations is
we dance the night away

especially good job of drums, and guitars sound great. very nice project.

Grateful Web
Band of the Month September 2007

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