|
It was standing room only at the over-crowded 3rd & Lindsley Bar and Grille in Nashville for the Old Union CD release party. And these boys proved that age ain't nothing but a number when it comes to Rock-N-Roll.
"We must embrace our youngsters," says Bonnie Bramlett. "Thank God I came into the era of 60's and 70's southern Rock-N-Roll. And, now I'm on stage with theses young bloods (Old Union) that are all carrying on the torch." Bramlett, of course, is the Southern Rock Queen known worldwide through Delaney & Bonnie, The Allman Brothers Band and Little Feat.
Old Union's latest release, Forgiveness Or Permission, is a true testament that there is room to grow when looking toward the future of this band. "We are very proud of the work we put into this album and believe that it represents Old Union thoroughly on a professional level," says John Zvolensky, the band's guitarist. They're a soulful Southern Rock band fuelled by a pure sound which allows them to drive their train down a path paved by legends like the Allman Brothers and the Band.
So, if you're going to host a CD release party in Nashville, you've gotta do it right, and tonight Old Union didn't hold anything back. They started the party with an acoustic set featuring a multitude of talented friends who individually play in bands such as Foggy Bottom - who recently opened for the Wailers and Widespread Panic - and Ballhog, a traditional bluegrass band. The night was full of special guests like Bonnie Bramlett, the lovely soulful ladies from the trio Shadz of U and Sheila Lawrence, vocalist for Kentucky Thunder and Chris West and the Half Brass Band (and bassist Ben Bridges' aunt).
Old Union started the evening with "Breakdown Blues," a new hit from Forgiveness Or Permission, which features keyboardist and vocalist Chuck Foster. He maybe young, but his voice is the sound of an old soul who's witnessed some of the greatest tragedies in life. "Breakdown Blues" speaks about a farmer who's lost his crops to a fire, but feels that the true loss is the measure of what a man can take. But this is just a small insight into the original lyrical statements made by this creative Southern Rock band. Lyrics alone can't constitute a Southern sound. "Far Away" begins with a whining lap steel played by Swertfeger, switches to lead vocalist Foster on the organ, Bridges keeping the beat on the bass, drummer Dave Bryndal's hammering out a sound that is quick and heavy, while Lawrence's emotional harmonies (which also appear on the record), all allowing Spotty Dogg room to break free with an moving solo on the electric guitar.
There's nothing these boys will let stand in their way when it comes to being one of the best live Rock-N-Roll bands in Nashville. Their lyrics maybe reminiscent of dirty, down-home stories spoken by Rock legends like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, but they give it their all by awakening music listeners to a fresh and new taste of raunchy Southern sound.
Old Union tours the South and tries to not stray more than five hours from their homeland. But they are planning on playing more festivals this spring and summer in the Northeast. "It's a hard step to make it in Nashville," says Zvolensky, "but our saving grace has always been our strong following of family, friends, and listeners who support us."
|
|
|
|
|
|
