A couple of years ago, one of the bands generating the most buzz at Old Settler’s Music Festival was a new group out of Colorado, Big Richard. They caused a stir at an early afternoon set in Telluride the summer before and now people were excited to see if the magic was still there. It was. They managed to amp it up from there for a show I saw the following year in Santa Cruz. They released a live album captured from that Telluride set last year, but now they’ve released their debut studio album, Girl Dinner.
This is string band music. It ranges from the folkie Town Line and The Devil’s Outside, to a couple of instrumental jigs; Beards Brushing in the Night and TOAS(t) – Girl Dinner At the WaWa. A tale of jealousy spurred by a pair of songbirds, Back Porch Dove has almost a Celtic feel. It showcases the band in full harmony mode, as does Goodnight Goodmorning Goodbye with its sad story of being pushed away by a dying loved one. So Long My Friend is a progressive bluegrass ballad. Deal Me In is more of an uptempo, traditional bluegrass number. It delivers an autobiographical comment on how the group sees the traditional male/female relationship and makes clear who’s in charge this time around.
If you haven’t noticed yet it’s worth mentioning that Big Richard is an all-female band, if for no other reason than explaining the reverse Beavis & Butthead snicker their name invokes. They’ve embraced the challenges and frequently turn those snubs on their ear, at least if their between-song banter is any indication. Make no mistake, though, they’re not about the gimmick. Girl Dinner shows they’re quickly rising in the talent pool, and provides a fine intro to what the buzz is all about, especially if you can’t see them live.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.