The Brandos are a rock
band from New York City, formed in 1985, who focus on incorporating American
and Irish folk music with their riff driven tunes. It comes with a slight twist
since they keep the mandolin in the front a lot. The nucleus has always been
the duo of Dave Kincaid - vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo - and Ernie Mendillo
- bass guitar and vocals - and they've seen a number of musicians come and go
through the years. Making waves in the States initially, The Brandos built a
bigger and more dedicated following in Europe, especially in Germany and
Holland. It is therefore not surprising that 'In Exile - Live' was
recorded in Amsterdam back in 1994 and released a year later. Kincaid and
Mendillo are here joined on stage by two New York City luminaries, in the shape
of Scott Kempner on guitars and vocals and Frank Funaro on drums and vocals,
both from The Dictators and Del-Lords.
Somehow the switch
between full-on rockers and the real roots of folk music works so fantastically
well, listen to any of the bands' studio albums and you know what I mean.
However, it is the most prominent on this live album where the band is more
electrifying than ever. From the rocking tunes of 'Get Tough' through
the roots rock of 'Anna Lee' to the Irish folk in 'The Recruiting
Sergeant' The Brandos takes me on a musical journey of rarely seen
proportions.
The previously mentioned 'Anna
Lee' is one of my favourites telling a beautiful story about a southern
lass performed in full roots regalia. Another super favourite is 'The
Warrior's Son' which portrays a son taking over his father's angry heritage
of fighting someone else's war. Dave is a a master on the mandolin bringing out
so many emotions. Their acoustic version of Stephen Foster's 'Hard Times
Come Again No More' is nothing short of breath taking and surpasses with
ease the versions recorded by Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and Bruce
Springsteen. A rousing rendition of 'Gettysburg' leads the way as well
being a haunting tale of the horrors of brother fighting brother. Last on my
list of top favourites is the Creedence Clearwater Revival sounding 'Gunfire
At Midnight'. Like I've said so many many times before in other reviews,
all the songs are very good. It's just that the ones I've mentioned are above
the rest in my opinion.
This band should have had much more recognition than they ever received, since they bring something very special and good to the table. But, as with so many great and deserving bands before and after them, full exposure has eluded them. I actually thought the band had broken up since Dave Kincaid has been playing and recording Civil War music. However, a new The Brandos album is in the works and will hopefully hit the streets later this year. If you want to check them out, this live album is the perfect start. But I urge you to back track their entire discography, because you'll have a treasure trove at your hands.
This band should have had much more recognition than they ever received, since they bring something very special and good to the table. But, as with so many great and deserving bands before and after them, full exposure has eluded them. I actually thought the band had broken up since Dave Kincaid has been playing and recording Civil War music. However, a new The Brandos album is in the works and will hopefully hit the streets later this year. If you want to check them out, this live album is the perfect start. But I urge you to back track their entire discography, because you'll have a treasure trove at your hands.
- Swedebeast
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