The Belleville Outfit - Wanderin
February 28, 2008 by C. Eric Banister
Filed under Reviews
The music is a mix of acoustic Americana, big band jazz and twangy-swing that mixes the members Appalachian roots with the traditional music of New Orleans, a bit like The Squirrel Nut Zippers. Their sound is tight and fresh, hardly what you would expect from a group that wasn’t even together one year ago! The band consists of Rob Teter (guitar, vocals), Connor Forsyth (piano), Jonathan Konya (drums, vocals), Jeff Brown (bass, vocals), Marshall Hood (guitar, vocals) and Phoebe Hunt (violin, vocals).
The CD starts off with a great tune, “Somebody Like You,” a very well written song lyrically and musically about someone lost in life.
Its easy to feel lost, when you’re hanging by the end of a string
Hanging on everything. But I’m never gonna know where I’m going,
I’m a stranger to myself, a stranger in need of some help,
Cause if I lost it all, lost everything I knew
I’d want to love someone like you
The next cut, “Caroline” is a bouncy western swing tune featuring some great piano work by Connor Forsyth. One constant highlight throughout the disc is Phoebe Hunt’s violin. It adds bounce to some tunes and melancholy background to others. She also contributes one of the best tunes on the disc, “Wonder Why” which also features her on lead vocal. This is a bouncy show-type tune with some great piano and guitar breaks in the middle. This music isn’t simple three-chord pop. These are well written and complex tunes musically featuring some of the best playing you’re likely to hear! How they have been able to develop such a tight sound this quickly is a testament to the bands talent. “Ease My Mind” is a ballad sung beautifully by Rob and harmonized by Phoebe, backed by soft violin and acoustic guitar. “Tell Her For Me When I’m Gone” is another lively swing style song and one of the faster tunes on the CD. Whatever your favorite spice is in the Americana stew you’re likely to find it here. If you like swing type music this disc is a must have. It’s an early entry into my favorites of 2008 club! You can check out the band at www.BellvilleOutfit.com.
