So I have recently been introduced to “The Donkeys” who hail from San Diego, California by a good friend in Rosenheim, Germany…figures I have to hear about some good alt-country from some German! All kidding aside, thanks Pip for keeping your eye on the ball!
This is not your father’s Donkeys from the 60’s/70’s, but the new breed – wow, that sounds awkward…breeds of donkeys… Well, let’s just get back to the music, shall we? The Donkeys bring both the slowed down Americana alongside some mid tempo alt-country. For the un-initiated this may sound like the very same thing…no so my friend.
I have chosen two tracks that display this very phenomenon – “Dolphin Center” brings us a mellow Alt-Country ballad featuring some piano and great guitar accents (I dare say guitar solo even) – this is not your father’s Country music. Then we have “Boot on the Seat” which has a mid tempo (it does actually reach mid-tempo near the end there), and a truer Americana sound with use of slide guitar, simple bass line, harmonica and some southern drawl. Okay, maybe Alt-Country and Americana can be interchanged for both tracks…I almost had you for a bit though.
You might even remember them from their appearance on Daytrotter from 2006 (2006!!!!) that includes “unreleased” tracks at that time that have made it to this album. So take a listen and once you have the feel for this album then head over to Dead Oceans and pick up a copy upon its release on September 9th!
~Smansmith
been listening to them a lot in my car….and going to see them on the 16th! Can’t wait!