Buffalo Gals
Album: Won't You Be Cruel To Be Kind?
Label: Get Real
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.buffalogals.co.uk

Buffalo Gals is a six-piece outfit; formed back in 2002 as part of a project to bring old-time country music to the SW of England, it's subsequently worked as both a performance and teaching band. The lineup of this spirited combo is unchanged since 2009, with the gals contingent still outnumbering the fellas by 4:2, and its third release here carries the series forward with a similarly come-on title. That sense of enticement, of welcome-and-come-on-in, is present in the feel of the performances, which are homespun and unpretentious almost to a fault, on occasion charmingly underplayed but invariably appealing and entertaining.

The Gals possess a winning combination of infectious fun in the music-making allied to an accomplished degree of musicianly expertise, lively and animated with a quickfire delivery that's neither rushed nor determined to prove a point, and exhibiting an eagerness to please that extends right through to the lovingly informative detail presented in the booklet notes. All of the Gals are accomplished musicians with a thorough grasp of the old-time idiom and a real deep love of American roots music of whatever persuasion: ace fiddler Kate Lissauer's probably the most well-known of them (check out her latest solo CD Stately Mansion), but banjoist Johnny Whelan, flatpick guitarist Peter Dunn, and uke merchant Sooz Clare are no less talented. The lineup's completed by Sibylle Riesen (foot-percussion) and Eve Morris (bass), and together the ensemble makes an uplifting sound that's guaranteed to set your feet dancing steps along with Sibylle (whom you can hear loud and clear on around half of the tracks).

The material comes mostly from approved tradition, whether that be string-band or old-time, country or bluegrass staples, ragtime or gospel, with the occasional novelty number thrown in for good measure. Highlights include Kate's fresh-minted, energetic takes on classic fiddle tunes (Jerusalem Ridge, Sweet Marie, Falls Of Richmond and possibly best of all Frankie, from the repertoire of the late Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas); a sparky account of the Burl Hammons tune Greasy Coat; Sooz's Patsy Cline-inspired rendition of Just A Closer Walk With Thee; Kate's forthright take on the Louvin Brothers' I Wish You Knew; and Pete's authentic account of the little-known Hank Williams song Weary Blues From Waiting. Great fun is had by all on the Sooz-penned title track (a slice of philosophical hokum), the gleeful cowgirl number I'm A Wild And Restless Cowboy From The West and the knowingly sad (but slightly silly) I Left Her Standing There (With A Doodad In Her Hair), replete with yodelsome interjections! In general, it's easy to forgive any relative shortcomings in the vocal department, where the leads maybe aren't always as convincing or successful as the capably coordinated (if at times slightly undercooked) harmonies, but the performers' enthusiasm and affection for the music, and their deep joy in its communication, swiftly enable the listener to overcome any reservations.

An absolute delight, and a most worthy companion to the Gals' first two CDs.

David Kidman