The Brass KingsGive some people enough rope and they'll hang themselves. Give The Brass Kings enough rope, throw in a washtub and a washboard, perhaps a tambourine and a beat-up fridge door, and an acoustic or resonator guitar, and they come up with their brilliant second album Washboard Rope Guitar. Some of the hardest-working musicians in town, the trio (Steve Kaul, Mikkel Beckmen, Brad Ptacek) won over Cedar audiences with their gutsy 2007 performances opening for David Lindley, and a memorable summer evening set on the patio at Grateful for the Cedar. Now it is their turn in the limelight. Joining the Brass Kings onstage will be a host of guest artists including, Dave Simonett (Trampled By Turtles), Mike Gunther, Grant Johnson (Bitter Spills), Nate Sipe (Pert Near Sandstone), Dave Babb (Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs), Molly Maher, Jon Rodine and Jayanthi Kyle (Black Audience). For Washboard Rope Guitar, the Brass Kings played live in the studio: vocals and all instruments tracked at the same time, without overdubs, just like in the olden days. Only this time engineer and producer Mathew Zimmerman (Wild Sound Studio) refined the approach and the results are amazing. Blending an old-time pulse with exotic elements from around the globe, the cd features 13 new & original songs - all of which the band will perform live at the release party. If there is a better way to celebrate this bonus day of Leap Year, it is not immediately apparent.
Openers Black Audience are a new local favorite featuring Robin Kyle (Valet), the amazing voice of his wife Jayanthi and the talents of Mike Gunther, Luke Kyle and Doug Anderson. Black Audience was picked by critics as one of the best new bands of 2007.
"I’ll forgive you for not realizing country blues could be comfortably married to Eastern music, because I never would’ve thought of that pairing either. Fortunately, the Brass Kings did... a unique multicultural musical fusion, one that sounds like very little of what gets labeled “Americana”. And thank goodness for that." (Pop Matters)
"One of the most unconventional old-timey stringbands in town, their ferocious, world-influenced rhythms take that old-timey sound down some unusual roads… they're not to be missed."- Pulse of the Twin Cities
"Black Audience opened the attack with a salvo of boogie, blues and AAAAR & B. While the band backed her up on banjo, calimba and bodhran, lead singer Jayanthi Kyle made me spine shiver with her haunting renditions of old blues and gospel numbers. (Jon Behm, Howwastheshow.com)
"Jayanthi led her band featuring Mike Gunther on keys, Robin Kyle on guitar, Luke Kyle on bodran, Doug Anderson on banjo and bones, and a great harmony singer and harp player, with her ultra-strong, smooth vocals. She belted out gospel and old-time and traditional songs, including a cover of Harry Belafonte's "Darling Cora", "Wayfaring Stranger", "Queen Jane", "Down by the Riverside, and "This Train". Jayanthi's great voice along with harmonies, a wicked percussion section and fine melodies, sent chills down the spine, and made the heart swell. It was indeed as Robin described, "like a hootenanny with a great lead singer." I and many of their friends were on hand to witness the spellbinding spectacle that is Black Audience. (Cyn Collins, Life of Cyn)
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Tickets on sale now from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Ticketweb, and Cedar outlets.
