The Felice Brothers-God Bless You Amigo
By: James Hagin
The Felice Brothers have always pushed the limits of Americana. Their last album Celebration, Florida, in almost a salute to the electronics of Wilco, uses synthesizers, and effects pedals, things somewhat unusual in the genres of country and folk. And they were constantly praised for it too. Almost the Radiohead of Americana, they experimented and toyed with ever-popular subculture. But that was then. This new album God Bless You Amigo is a collection of unreleased works and traditional songs, done with nothing but the original necessary instruments, and talent. It is not really a new direction for the band. The album Yonder Is The Clock is just the same in style, but it does have a modern feel to it. Talking about life in Catskill, and New York City in recent years, it is easy to see that they were not trying to be the “old timey” country band that is displayed in this latest record. God Bless You Amigo is the perfect album for driving through the Berkshires on old back roads, and for sitting around on your porch looking upon the rolling fields of upstate New York.
The band started with the three brothers Ian, James, and Simone Felice plus their friend coming from the small town of Palenville who played in the subways of New York as kids and teens. Later in life they moved to New York, and met Greg Farley (fiddle), Dave Turbeville (drums), and “Christmas Clapton” (bass). They recorded their first record Iantown, and eight more after that including Tonight at the Arizona, their self titled album and Mix Tape all wonderful records.
On the matter of this album’s sound there is a lot to go through. For those who have been following the brothers for a while you are very accustomed to the gravely “Dylanesque” voice of Ian Felice. This voice is put to great use on this album especially on tracks like “Lincoln Continental”, and “Jack of Diamonds”. Ian never really disappoints as a front man for the band. But it’s not just Ian. Brothers James Felice and Greg Farley are just as prominent as figures in the band. Farley their fiddle player was not always as praised as the rest of the band, his playing often called mediocre, but on God Bless You Amigo it is clear that an improvement has been made. On The song “Cumberland Gap”, an old folk tune, he really shines through and creates that good time feeling that should always go along with song of that nature. And on the last song on the album “Promise Land” an instrumental he announces his presence and power with sharp bowing and perfect harmony. On the same track we also hear a great rhythm keeping from James’s accordion with once again just stunning presence.
This album is great and if you like Americana, I do recommend adding it to your itunes library as soon as you possibly can. It is a wonderful thing when a band can create something like this more than once, and it only makes me want more.
The band started with the three brothers Ian, James, and Simone Felice plus their friend coming from the small town of Palenville who played in the subways of New York as kids and teens. Later in life they moved to New York, and met Greg Farley (fiddle), Dave Turbeville (drums), and “Christmas Clapton” (bass). They recorded their first record Iantown, and eight more after that including Tonight at the Arizona, their self titled album and Mix Tape all wonderful records.
On the matter of this album’s sound there is a lot to go through. For those who have been following the brothers for a while you are very accustomed to the gravely “Dylanesque” voice of Ian Felice. This voice is put to great use on this album especially on tracks like “Lincoln Continental”, and “Jack of Diamonds”. Ian never really disappoints as a front man for the band. But it’s not just Ian. Brothers James Felice and Greg Farley are just as prominent as figures in the band. Farley their fiddle player was not always as praised as the rest of the band, his playing often called mediocre, but on God Bless You Amigo it is clear that an improvement has been made. On The song “Cumberland Gap”, an old folk tune, he really shines through and creates that good time feeling that should always go along with song of that nature. And on the last song on the album “Promise Land” an instrumental he announces his presence and power with sharp bowing and perfect harmony. On the same track we also hear a great rhythm keeping from James’s accordion with once again just stunning presence.
This album is great and if you like Americana, I do recommend adding it to your itunes library as soon as you possibly can. It is a wonderful thing when a band can create something like this more than once, and it only makes me want more.