Friday 5 October 2018

Area Code 615 – AREA CODE 615***

Southern Comfort/I’ve Been Loving You Too Long/Hey Jude/Nashville 9 NY 1/Lady Madonna/Ruby/Crazy Arms- Get Back/Why Ask Why/Lil’ Maggie/Classical Gas/Just Like A Woman

The eponymous debut album from the Nashville country rock group Area Code 615. Formed from Nashville session players who got together to record mostly instrumental music with influences from country, bluegrass, R & B and rock & roll. (US:191)

“I would not try to categorize this as the Nashville sound, country or bluegrass or whatever. This is simply great music, played by accomplished musicians.”

“Uptempo banjo-pop, good musicians, mostly instrumentals. It hasn't got one bad track on it. It's bluegrass, country, rock and ballads and it still holds up against any music today.”

“Great psych/bluegrass music. Would have preferred more vocals on the album, but overall good music.”

“This is some of the best music you will ever hear. Great, pristine, foot-tapping, tunes. If you appreciate lovely, happy, easy, groovin’ music, you must add this to your collection.”

“Some of Nashville's best session musicians joined together to form the Area Code 615 band. The pickin' is first-rate all the way through. Bobby Thompson's banjo version of Mason William's Classical Gas is great.”

“In order to truly enjoy this music, you have to be on the same wavelength, either enjoying the group's undeniable instrumental skills, or enjoying the records because they're so clearly of their time. No other era would have country studio musicians jamming out on Beatles tunes, or turning in trippy, mind-bending instrumental interludes with fuzz-toned guitars. It's interesting as a period piece, as well as an example of their virtuosity, but in each case, it winds up as a bit of a dated artefact.”

“What a great album. It's difficult to categorize, really. I wouldn’t call it bluegrass, exactly, maybe 'rockgrass'. Just when you think it's going to be dull, the music takes off, lead by Bobby Thompson's righteous banjo picking, into a funky mix of Southern rock, soul and bluegrass. Every song is good, there are no clunkers.”

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