Pages tagged “the wood brothers”

It's apparent that Chris and Oliver Wood have found a few new ways to build upon the unexpected triumph of 2006's, Ways Not to Lose. As a debut, the record seemed like a lark and a moment of downtime for Chris Wood, one-third of the ever-popular trio, Medeski, Martin and Wood. But on Loaded, the Wood Brothers have drawn plenty of help from guests such as Pieta Brown and Amos Lee (who delivers a fine vocal on “Angel,” a love song with a rock steady reggae beat), as well as their old chums Billy Martin and John Medeski. More revealingly, the Wood Brothers emphasize the melodies of the folk half of their folk-blues sound throughout, relying less on the weathered blues-rock Oliver perfected in journeyman Atlanta bands such as Kingsized. There are times where the music gets too pretty, but the lighter touch mostly works.

Chris plays a fine bass, and sings backup on much of Loaded, but Oliver is undeniably the star here. His ruminative but never bitter tone and conversational vocals drive songs such as “Still Close” and “Pray Enough.” On “Postcards from Hell,” he describes a homeless musician so talented that people often ask how he sings so well. “I have a soul that I won’t sell/ And I don’t read postcards from hell,” he responds. While unashamedly spiritual, Oliver isn’t a holy roller. On the title track, as he strums a steel guitar, he talks about being so drunk he’s unable to rap to a girl in a bar. Most of Loaded’s tracks concern love of the spiritual and worldly kind, which Chris emphasizes with deep bass plucks. Like a tall glass of lemon iced tea, Loaded balances its sweetness with depth and soul.

Taking breaks from their other bands, brothers Chris and Oliver Wood (of Medeski Martin & Wood and King Johnson, respectively), will embark on a national tour this month as duo The Wood Brothers.

They will zigzag across the country, beginning in New York City, traveling to the West coast and coming back again. Halfway through, The Wood Brothers will play a Joni Mitchell tribute show at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 1 with Keren Ann, Tracy Chapman and others.

On the last day of the winter tour, March 7, the brothers will release their debut album, Ways Not to Lose.

The Wood Brothers Winter Tour 2006

Jan. 5 | New York City, N.Y. | The Living Room
Jan. 14 | Boulder, Colo. | Fox Theatre (w/ Medeski Martin & Wood)
Jan. 15 | Boulder, Colo. | Fox Theatre (w/ Medeski Martin & Wood)
Jan. 17 | Steamboat Springs, Colo. | Levelz
Jan. 23 | Seattle, Wash. | The Tractor Tavern
Jan. 25 | Portland, Ore. | Doug Fir Lounge
Jan. 26 | Los Angeles, Calif. | Hotel Café
Feb. 1 | New York City, N.Y. | Carnegie Hall (Joni Mitchell Tribute)
Feb. 8 | Annapolis, Md. | Rams Head Tavern (w/ Brandi Carlile)
Feb. 9 | New York City, N.Y. | The Living Room
Feb. 10 | Philadelphia, Penn. | World Café (w/ Brandi Carlile)
Feb. 11 | Vienna, Va. | Jammin Java
Feb. 12 | Morgantown, W.Va. | Mountain Stage
March 7 | New York City, N.Y. | Joe's Pub