Winter Hours - These Familiar Places
By Dave DiSanzo
http://www.indierec.com

During their tenure together (1983-1991) the band released two full length albums and a four EPs, all of which are included here as well as three previously unreleased tracks. Edgy folk-rock mixed with psychedelia provided for a Byrds-Velvets hybrid that was unique and captivating.

Disc one contains the first two EPs (Churches and Wait Till the Morning), the first album (Leaving Time), the track "I Want" which appeared only on the compilation CD Wait Till the Morning and dates back to the pre-Winter Hours demos under the name Ward 8. This disc also features the electric version of "Ten Minutes" which was the only track on their third EP (The Confessional) not to be included on Leaving Time. The availability of this material on cd is a God-send. Melodic folk-rockers like "At a Turtle's Pace" and "Wait till the Morning" sound as brilliant as they did originally. In fact some of these songs sound a lot more in line with what is going on in the musical landscape today than almost 20 years ago which is when it was initially released. None of it sounds dated and since the band never fell for any tricky, gimmicky 80's production tactics the music still shines. Dreamy ballads like the acoustic version of "Ten Minutes" and their local hit "Hyacinth Girl" still force you to sing along with every word. Power rockers "The Confessional" and the electric "Ten Minutes" are so melodically strong it is astonishing that the mainstream didn't pick up on this band (despite the fact that it was the musically deficient decade that was the 80's). The instrumentation in this band was solid. Some of the guitar solos (check the classic, "Island of Jewels" for a start) are so beautifully melodic yet powerful and rocking at the same time that you can't help but get captivated each time you listen, which will be many. In addition to the solid songwriting, Joseph Marques' strong, ethereal, haunting vocals bring to mind the young Jim Morrison.

Disc two showcases the band's final EP for Link Records and all of their output for Chrysalis. Again, this all sounds fresh and current. The band extend their influences to include country and include a bit of pedal steel on some of the tracks. An obvious highlight is "Roadside Flowers", a lament on the results of a 'sophisticated' world. This is a powerful sing-along country-tinged anthem that anyone from the suburbs who can 'tell a green field from a cold steel rail' will appreciate. "Familiar Places" is a folk rock masterpiece. Melodically and lyrically it is a gorgeous ballad. Sounding more Fairport Convention than Lou Reed, "Carpenter's Square" has a simple riff and melancholy about it that contributes to its sublime effect. Country ballad "Broken Little Man" should have been a hit record. It is finely crafted and exquisitely executed. Harmonies abound while guitars strum, swirl, jangle and riff-out and pedal steel adds comfort. Once it's over you realize what a treasure this band was. Rounding off disc two is the unreleased "Still" which was only available on a Chrysalis promo although it should have appeared on the self-titled album as it was as good as anything on the album. "Still" is one of the tunes that the band had been performing live for a couple of years before they recorded it which allowed them to really develop it. The result is a breathy rocker that sounds like Colin Blunstone fronting Badfinger.

Powerful live versions of "Island of Jewels" and Gene Clark's "Tried so Hard" (from a radio broadcast) are also included, the latter being a paced-up version of the track Gene cut with the Gosdin Brothers in 1967. I once saw the band perform a slow version of this song with acoustic instruments and it would be nice to see that one released one day too. The final track, "Last Drop" has never been issued in any form. It is essentially a backing track, the last song the band ever recorded. It never made it to vocal tracking but it is a fine Carlucci composition with nice guitar and mandolin soloing. Two and a half minutes of musical bliss.

Highly recommended and long overdue. The cd contains full credits and corrected composition credits. Stay tuned for The Great Lost Winter Hours Album.

Visit http://www.recordsnyc.com or http://www.hyacinthgirl.cjb.net for further information.