From Amazon.com
Very entertaining mix of instruments, vocals and choice of songs
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I stumbled over Devil In A Woodpile in Chicago when these guys played before the Asylum Street Spankers last November. The style of both groups has some similarity: Mostly accoustic instruments, no or very little use of demon electricity and a great sense of humor.
In Your Lonesome Town captures their live act very nicely. Sherry's special style of singing is fun to listen to. He uses his organ with a rythm, almost as if he tries to imitate a drum set. The only thing I hoped would be more prominent is the tuba. The instrument was an essential part of the concert I attended. It is heard on the CD but somehow a bit burried in the mix. But this is only a minor drawback. I love to listen to this CD in the car. Upbeat and great to sing a long. Highly reccommended for anybody who likes Bar Blues and doesn't mind some Swing and Jug Band influence.
a great American roots band
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: If Downbeat magazine had a category for best Washboard playing, it would be aced by Rick " Cooking " Sherry of Devil In a Woodpile. Although these guys need to write some more original material they generate a lot of good time music and the playing is super fine . Tuba Player Gary Shepers and Tom Ray are a potent rhythm section behind new National guitarist Joel Paterson and quadruple threat Rick Sherry on vocals , washboard , harp and clarinet. This is the 3rd album and has a cool studio in the round sound that is lively . Nice cover photo , don't you wish they played in your town every Tuesday night ?
Its more like "Devil in a CD pile"
Album Rating: (1 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Its this Rootsy, country, folk sound with other instruments in the mix.
I'm not buying it........oops I did, I wish I hadn't.
I read the reviews and it sounded pretty good but to my dismay it was far from good.
Maybe they needed help mixing it in the studio?! the vocals stick out like a sore thumb, maybe thats what they were going for but it doesn't work.
Apparently they're good live, I'd pay cover to see them but would not pay anymore on a CD.
I do like the ability to use a clarinet, tuba, kazoo and a jug.
Yes there's the Broonzy and Charlie Patten covers but they're nothing stellar.
Sherry channels first-generation on this new release.
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Rick "Cookin" Sherry masterminds Devil In A Woodpile like a cautious lumberjack using trilling harmonica and sloping vocal interjections to re-create the Country Blues. The absence of a drum kit on many tunes of the record gives "In Your Lonesome Town" a traditional Delta feel with bottleneck guitar, washboard and the occasional Tuba line carrying the rhythm. Charlie Patton's "Shake It And Break It" and Big Bill Broonzy's "When I'm Drinkin" are wonderfully interpreted by Woodpile. Sherry utilizes period-correct speech inflections while singing unadulterated within his vocal range; keeping the authentic sound of the originals while disregarding mimicry. The group includes Sherry on harmonica, clarinet, jug, washboard, and vocals, Tom V. Ray on upright bass, Joel Paterson on guitars, vocals, and kazoo, and Gary Schepers on Tuba. You can check them out every Tuesday at The Hideout in Chicago, IL. - Brett Lemke - All content copyright www.maximumink.com.
Great band no one knows about
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Devil in a Woodpile is a great band. I saw them live at SXSW in austin. They play a great mix of old time Delta Blues, the best song on the album is a Charlie Patton cover called Shake it or Break it. If you like blues, buy this cd.
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