Grand Canyon Sundown

Written by Mike Alvarez
Unless you're a musicologist with Ferde Grofe on the brain, an album titled Grand Canyon Sundown immediately calls to mind a vast red sky above a rocky desert scene, accompanied by a country and western-flavored soundtrack. Such expectations are fulfilled and then some on this album. The opening song "So Far Away" evokes the Grateful Dead with its likeable melody, bouncing rhythm, and flowery embellishments, courtesy of a harmonica and pedal steel guitar. The smooth vocals are very easy on the ears. Then it's off to roots rock on "Violent Sea." Lots of guitars backed by a Hammond organ give this song a propulsive edge that would make the E Street Band proud. "River Roll" is an acoustic workout that is a return to the Dead influence, with fiddle and mandolin joining the mix. After an extended instrumental intro, the multiple vocal harmonies enter to give this song a Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young feel. "Band of Gypsies" is a jaunty celebration, rooted firmly in Southern blues that is sure to get people on the dance floor.
Instrumental and vocal tracks are tastefully arranged, creating a dense but uncluttered sound. While it is obviously well-produced, there is a very organic sound to this recording. Everyone is highly proficient with their instruments, always playing in service to the songs. Earthy guitars and a "tight but loose" rhythm section provide the foundation for warm vocals and ethereal harmonies. Other instruments are smartly added to the mix to great effect. Harmonica, pedal steel guitar, mandolin, and fiddle all serve to give the music the kind of signature that defines it in space and time. Vocals are pleasing and unforced. Background singers are seamlessly integrated into the main melodies providing the perfect accompaniment to lead vocalist Paul Cruz. On many songs they are reminiscent of the early Eagles. The ballad "Fly Tonight" brought to mind "Peaceful Easy Feeling."
This group of musicians manages to carve out its own stylistic territory while simultaneously pushing its boundaries. They have a core sound but find ways to keep it interesting and fresh. Even something as unexpected as the upbeat pop tune "Beneath the Surface," with its Spin Doctors-influenced vibe, fits in nicely with this collection of songs. It immediately becomes apparent that many influences are at work here. Country and bluegrass stand side by side with modern rock, blues, and psychedelia. Often they intertwine to create a classic sound from another era. Appropriately enough, the proceedings come to a close with the Tex Mex singalong "Goodnight Sweet World." It's a satisfying ending to a satisfying album.
- San Diego Troubadour

Listing Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, Johnny Cash, and John Prine as influences, one gets a pretty clear picture about what to expect from the boys in Grand Canyon Sundown. Fortunately, they deliver the goods on this collection of mostly acoustic alt-country and folk-rock.
The songs ramble along like a ride in the old Chevy I learned to drive on the back roads of Alabama - pretty slow for the most part, with an occasional smooth straightaway where it's cool to step on it a little.
As far as instrumentation goes, Grand Canyon Sundown brings out all but the kitchen sink on this one. Acoustic, electric, and bass guitar meet drums, steel guitar, harmonica, fiddle, and mandolin to mingle like old friends with a good bottle, and the songs might well have been born from such a situation. Harmonizing well, almost everyone in the band is listed with vocal credits on their myspace page.
With regard to everyone in the band, I suppose it would be rude to continue without proper introduction. Paul Cruz plays guitar and bass and sings, along with Jason Postelnek on six-string, bass, vocals, and violin. David Farrell also takes a run at guitar, bass, vocals, and mandolin. Seamus Steele handles the drums, with Drew Danforth on keys. Junior Torres warms things up on the harp, with Doug Meyer adding some fine touches on pedal steel.
For me, the slower songs really stand out the most. 'River Roll,' 'Fly Tonight,' and 'Goodnight Sweet World' are my favorites. The steel guitar on the latter reminds one of good old-time country western music, which has clearly had some influence on these boys. 'Sail These Seas' is the one I wanted to hear over and over. The harmonica and distorted guitar stir up a little ruckus in the middle of a well-crafted campfire song fit for the radio. With a chorus about passing the bottle around, it got plenty of play.
'In My Dreams' sounds like one that might get the hippy girls dancing around up front and 'Beneath the Surface' would be the ideal follow up to keep them there. This might be where the jam band part comes in, judging from the online description of themselves. This is a solid set-ending jam for sure.
'Band of Gypsies' rounds out the album on a light-footed, uplifting note. What it lacks in originality as a song title, it makes up for by sounding like something that gets everyone in the bar tapping their feet or playing drums on the console with a foot out the window.
Over all, the boys from Ramona fork up a good dose of what feels like a good time that's worth trying to get in on if you have the time and the right group of people.
- S.D.T.