The Eames Brothers Band

You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder working act than Vermont's Eames Brothers Band. The trio - which features two honest-to-goodness siblings - constantly performs at venues throughout the green mountains. EBB's original blues tunes are remarkably soulful, which no doubt contributes to their demand. Their debut, Open Road, is chock-full of dextrous musicianship and authentic emotion. These dudes have passion, chops, and an abundance of flavor.
The Eames' music is rooted in tradition, from sparse delta blues to stinging electric shuffles. But ultimately their moody, dynamic tunes have a vibe all their own. The chord progressions are familiar, yet everything sounds remarkably fresh.
The disc opens with "Gonna Stay Up All Night," which has a yearning, romantic tone. Here singer/guitarist Seth Eames channels Randy Newman's languid vocal style. Musically, it's bare-bones, with ragtime-style picking framed by Michael Owens' gentle percussion and Ralph Eames' understated bass line.
"Waitin' by the Roadside" gives aching solitude a jazzy makeover, while 'West Wind" has a slight Latin feel.
The title track is an especially tasty cut. Guest keyboardist Ray Paczkowski conjures swirling sounds from his organ; Owens' percussion is fluid and in the pocket. Seth Eames serves up my favorite kind of lick: snaky and in a minor key.
"Another Round" features wonderful slide work and lyrics about boozin' and ramblin'. This is a blues band after all. "Another round, another town, another lonely sun gone down," Eames gruffly croons.
Interestingly, the mood seems to get lighter as the album progresses. Like clouds parting after a prolonged rainstorm, later tracks arouse elation. "Worried Blues," despite its title, is one such example; "Goin' Home" - which features feisty organ from regular keyboardist Ron Rost - is another. "Earth Blues" is a slow, Chicago-style number that is likewise uplifting.
The album winds down with "Indian Summer Blues," which is as sultry as its name suggests. The tune would make exellent listening on those hot 'n' sticky evenings that are no doubt around the corner.
Open Road is a fantastic collection of original blues by a truly talented group. - Seven Days Vt.