Benjamin Allen Band

"Mile One" is a contemporary collection with a whiff of blues and reveals just a hint of the country flavor from which the Benjamin Allen Band evolved. Sounds a bit like Dave Matthews Band (actually a little digging revealed the coincidence that they have opened for that band in the past) and that hint of country sounds a bit Travis Trittish. Several of the tracks were authored by Dave Benjamin (guitar and vocals), followed closely with several penned by Troy Allen (vocals) and a couple of covers by others, including a personal favorite by Jay Johnson. The BA Band has used the most wonderfully unique combination of violin in contemporary music I’ve ever heard. Eleanor Whitmore does a wonderful job in that capacity, as well as some well-placed vocal harmony. Lloyd Maines is listed with dobro credit, but you can detect a bit of his subtle influence on several tracks. Nobody records music like Lloyd. Percussion and drums are more than adequately covered by Jeff Sorenson. As a matter of fact, there are several interesting introductions to tracks that have his distinctive stamp. Jeff Curry on bass, Scott Owens on bass and electric guitar and Riley Osborne on B-3 organ complete the melodious mixture. However, it is without a doubt the excellent counterpoint harmony from Troy Allen and Dave Benjamin that is the really memorable feature of this album.

More than one or two tracks are worth a specific mention for this collection. Almost every track treats you to the great Allen/Benjamin harmony, many times in counter point. The other signature of most of the tracks is the haunting, sweet refrains from the violin; so unexpected, but perfectly placed.

"A Waste" was written by Dave Benjamin when he was only 16 (eight years ago). However, there is nothing adolescent about this composition; very profound and soul-searching. A real search for the answer to the age-old question of "…all this time has been a waste"? This track starts with a wake-up percussion introduction that quickly sets the mood for this song’s pace. The harmony combo of Benjamin and Allen do it to you, again. It digs in roots in the stubborn corner of your mind and you find yourself humming the refrain long after the song is complete.

"Saturday" is an upbeat, but bittersweet love song, with more of those fabulous intertwining harmonies by Allen and Benjamin. The song winds through the description of what led to spending a good Saturday alone. Places the blame where it belongs, but you can’t help but be somewhat sympathetic about the bravado ending, "That’s alright. I’ll be OK. I just wasted me another good Saturday." Another one you can’t dislodge from the humming corner of your mind.

"Love in the Wasteland" (authored by Jay Johnson) is a categorization of being confused and untrusting with love, as in, "Is that a candle I see in your eyes, or a funeral pyre?" and "the truth runs from the light of the day when my sleepy eyes will open just in time to catch you walking away." No, just "It’s love in a wasteland. I don’t understand.". The violin plays an important role in lifting this tune up into the stratosphere both in the background and as a solo segment. This time the vocal harmony is subtle, but you find yourself listening intently for it. You’re just not ready for this track to end.

"Better Man" lets the country flavor get a foothold. That distinctive dobro comes through and the message is pure Texicana. The boy is giving up on the material girl. "You always said you wanted a better man. I’ll be a better man as soon as you’re gone. I can’t buy the kind of love you want. So I’ll be a better man as soon as you’re gone." In essence, giving her what she wants, although I doubt she sees it that way at the time. No bitterness or lonesomeness, just the facts of life and moving on.

The BA Band comes back to what captured my fascination in "You and Me" and "Amy." Positive theme, plenty of great vocal harmonies (these two tracks have a strong Whitmore presence), and of course more great Whitmore violin.

I’ve also included the review of the four track sampler "Found" since it only contains two other selections ("3Ms" and "Found") not already included on "Mile One".

"3 Ms" has a wonderful acoustic guitar introduction and heart-grabbing vocal from Allen. That heavenly violin is back in this one, courtesy of Daniel Hart. By the way, the 3 Ms stands for midnight, mystique, and madness. Wish I’d thought of that. Guess that’s why I write ABOUT the music and not the music itself, huh?

"Found" proves that music that touches your soul doesn’t have to be slow and mellow. This one is driving and quick, which works very well for the self-struggle depicted in the lyrics. The violin is strong in this one, too, playing up the haunting quality this song suggests. "Do I believe promises…Do I take matters into my own hands?…" How much more haunted and uncertain can that be?

Just like life, nothing stays the same over time and the BA Band has been making some changes, lately. Dave Benjamin, lead guitar, and Daniel Hart, violin, departed for other career pursuits. They have been replaced with Nick Knirk, acoustic and electric guitar and vocals, and Mike Horne, violin and vocals. The Benjamin Allen Band name and other members (Jeff Sorenson and Jeff Curry) remain, as well as their signature violin (smart move!). I haven’t yet heard the full effect of the new band in its entirety, but have seen Allen and Knirk at Love and War performing as a duo. I was not the least bit disappointed. Troy Allen puts every ounce of feeling from his soul into the music they produce. Naturally, Benjamin Allen Band is still evolving, but I’m happy to report that it seems to be heading in the right direction. In the meantime, there is plenty of heart and soul in the music they produce. The next CD from BA Band is due out late spring of 2002 and will be available through their web site at http://babmusic.com/.

Written by Cheryl Arthur, May 2002

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