duggup

Flicking through my backlog of music to review – I started researching a band that it turns out have been defunct since 2003. Instead three of the former members went on to form the Trinity River Whalers. And what a find! This – from the Pegasus News site

The Trinity River Whalers were originally a trio formed by three of the Blarney Brothers, David Sparks, Randy Christian and Micheal Price, in 2003 as the Blarney Brothers were about to retire after a 14-year career. They added Kathleen Jackson on upright bass during the first year and in 2004 Marj Troyer took over lead guitar. In June 2005, with the departure of Sparks, Marj added mandolin and Randy picked up an accordion. Their third CD, Knotty Tales, was released in November 2005.

They are from Texas and as well as presenting well loved traditional ballads and other standards they also play and sing contemporary songs.

The voices of the four musicians provide some lovely harmonic moments and the musicianship is sharp and solid. There is a pronounced bluegrass feel that sneaks in every now and again but never more so than in the following take on the Paul Simon song called “Gone at Last”.

For those with a hankering for the more traditional material try this live version of the medly of “I’ll Tell me Ma/ Lord of the Dance and the Jolly Beggerman.”

For more delightful songs turn your browser to their MySpacesite or download some from the Pegasus site. Highly recommended.

jools is a graphic designer who used to front a band on vocals and bass. All evidence of which have mercifully been obliterated or otherwise lost.
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