Faded Glory

Label: Boardinghouse Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 625989432927
EAN: 0625989432927
ASIN: B0002VHRSK

Release Date: 2004-03-01

Faded Glory

Related Categories:

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Roots Rock

| Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana

| Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General

| Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Don't Play With Love
Liberty Avenue
Faded Glory
Christine
Unfinished Business
Wild And Free
I'd Rather Live In The Past
Carla
Victoria
Lost The Race
Cabana Moon

Album Description

Veterans from the Woodstock music scene of the early 70s, brothers Dave and Jon Gershen have performed and recorded with the likes of Van Morrison, members of The Band, Dave Sanborn, Ben Keith, Amos Garrett, Vassar Clements, and many, many more. Most know them from their work with the widely acclaimed group, BORDERLINE, formed with award winning producer Jim Rooney. Their first album, "Sweet Dreams and Quiet Desires" foreshadowed the genres that would later be called "Americana" and "Alternative Country." When Borderline disbanded after a few years, both brothers continued to write and record, although separately. They talked about working together again but never seemed to get around to it. Finally, with "Faded Glory," the Gershens are once again mixing up their own unique brew of country/rock, blues, and folk styles with this fresh batch of original songs. The themes for the most part deal with issues of introspection and the navigation of life's trajectory, sung with heartfelt authority. There are light-hearted moments here as well, and the entire work takes on an emotional balance not often found in collaborations of this kind. The album was produced by Jon Gershen and features a first rate backing group including well known guitarist Arlen Roth, Eric Parker on drums, Albert Rogers on bass, and Dan McKinney on keyboards.

Customer Reviews:

WORTH THE WAIT!!!.......2004-12-29

I always wondered what happened to these guys. I guess from what I've read recently, they went into the "deep freeze" or something after a series of business missteps. Who cares! All I can say is that it was worth the wait. "Sweet Dreams & Quiet Desires," the record they made with their band Borderline in the 70s, is still one of my all time favorites. Get a copy if you can find one 'cause in my humble opinion, that album is one of the most impressive country/rock/blues efforts ever, bar none. As for "Faded Glory," I can't remember when I've heard more straightforward music without the usual overblown production. This is bare bones stuff. You could call it "Americana" with a little "Alternative Country" and Folk/Blues thrown in, but this CD doesn't fit into any one slot comfortably.

Most of the backing musicians are from Woodstock so it has that rustic back porch feel. It also doesn't hurt that the guitar player is "Master of the Telecaster" Arlen Roth. Boy can this guy play! But the big news about this CD is the songs. If you aren't moved by the poignant lyrics to Dave's ballad "Liberty Avenue," than you better get a heart transplant real soon. It's a timeless song about childhood memories too precious to let go of but too painful to try holding on to. A real masterpiece. Another favorite is "Unfinished Business," a tough-as-nails blues tune with Jon's smoke damaged voice weaving in and out of some nasty slide licks and organ swirls. Dave's country inspired "Wild & Free" sounds like it could have come straight out of Bakersfield with his smooth baritone gliding over Roth's "truck driver" Fender sound. "Faded Glory" is another standout with its insistent plea for one more chance to make life's lost dreams count for something. Jon sings this rootsy gem like his life depends on it. All the Gershens' tunes have a world weary authenticity that resonates long after the music ends. I don't know where they've been all these years but I hope I won't have to wait another few decades to hear from them again. Highly recommended.

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