With a guitar/harmonica/bass/drums line-up, Woodbrain might be mistaken for a typical blues collective — at least until this fiery Portland, Oregon
foursome begins to play, when it quickly becomes apparent they are potentially an evolutionary force in the genre. Or several genres at once.
Woodbrain’s energy is incendiary; their music deeply rooted in tradition. And yet their songwriting and improvisation pull those roots in all kinds of directions informed by the generations of Son House, Jimi Hendrix, and John Coltrane. Without sacrificing an iota of heart or soul, their sound effortlessly skirts boundaries to reach blues, rock, Americana, and jam scene listeners alike.
Like fellow roots-based new music trailblazers Derek Trucks, Medeski Martin & Wood, and Widespread Panic, it is the exhilaration of making music within a profound tradition, and yet without boundaries, that keeps Woodbrain’s creative fires blazing.
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Track Listing |
Free Sound Samples |
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1. |
Port Chicago Highway |
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2. |
Northbound |
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3. |
Dig |
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4. |
Broken Window |
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5. |
Shake 'em On Down |
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6. |
Home of My Own |
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7. |
Good Man |
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8. |
Storm Clouds |
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9. |
Turpentine |
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10. |
Hurricane Town |
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11. |
Black Water Side |
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12. |
Next Stop |
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13. |
Pottsville Conglomerate |
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“This quartet, like some muddy river, rolls on with dark and hypnotic intent, roiled by the occasional musical eddy. Their free-form explorations of the blues evoke the sounds of the Rev. Gary Davis, R.L. Burnside and Son House, but they play well outside the confines of rural blues.” —The Oregonian
“They’re extremely innovative with a sound completely their own... This quartet should be viewed as sculptors, or painters. They’re creating a new dimension of the blues within our dreams.” —Cascade Blues Association
1910 Madison Avenue #671, Memphis TN 38104 - info@yellowdogrecords.com