review by Tom Branson: http://www.bluesrockers.ws/index.html
The great young blues/rock bands just keep on coming along faster than sexual misconduct charges against politicians. Not that many years ago, I wondered whether or not there would be anyone left still playing this style of music after I departed this world. Now, however, the future of the music appears in numerous capable hands.
Add to the list of future stars, the New York based Maynard Brothers Band. The debut recording of these real life brothers Erv and Jeff is a very diverse and enjoyable set, with material ranging from acoustic ballads and blues/rock to southern fried rock. Erv, the band's guitarist, writes much of their very fine
original material, with bassist brother Jeff adding some very easy on the ear vocals. Clutch Reiser provides the pulse pounding percussion to round out the band.
This, as stated earlier, is a very diverse set, which opens with an excellent acoustic blues number "No Devils", which gives way to a Stevie Ray flavored Texas shuffle "What To Do". Then, the band hits you with a very .38 Special-ish "Don't Call It Love", which is one of my favorites on the set. Track 5 brings out the jazzy, slow blues tune "Call The Warden", followed by a very interesting "Redneck Express" (careful men, I live in Tennessee) which will rock the socks off of you if, unlike me, you routinely wear shoes. It also lets you know that the Maynard's have a sense of humor, which again adds to the overall entertainment value of this band. You get the idea by now, I'm sure: the Maynard Brothers are both very talented and creatively and musically diverse, something that should translate into a long and prosperous career for them.
The CD is available on-line from the fine folks at Pacific Sol at www.pacificsol.com. Be sure to visit with the band via their official web site at www.maynardbrothersband.com.
review by Tom Branson
I began a couple or three years ago to hear recordings that I categorized to my readers as "American rock" music. The recordings that loosely fit into this category were those that contained portions of numerous genres, including blues, folk, southern and classic rock, all melted into a most delightful casserole. This new style of music has been particularly gratifying to these old ears, which have managed somehow to survive boy bands, rap, and disco.
One of my favorite artists of this type are the New York based Maynard Brothers. With the release of their second CD "Nasty Packages", the lads have managed early in their career to do something that few other bands seem capable of accomplishing:
they have managed to follow an excellent debut recording with an even better second effort. No sophomore jinx for the highly talented Maynards, as "Nasty Packages" artistically eclipses their self titled debut recording. It is, as was the first, a mixture of acoustic and electric rock and blues, all either partly or totally emanating from the pen of guitarist Erv Maynard, who is beginning to establish himself as one of the better song writers of this generation. Brother Jeff again adds both bass guitar and even better quality vocals than on their fine debut set. Drummer Harold Reiser returns along with new comer and long time friend Gary Bracjewski on second guitar to improve an already formidable line up.
The set begins with a "Peter Gunn" sounding intro, which gives way to the hard driving and very cleverly written "Don't Mind Livin' Alone". A jazzy "Some Days You Burn" is next, followed by an the acoustic title track which is absolutely haunting. Though lyrically a bit on the dark side, it is a tremendous showcase of both Erv's enormous talents as a writer and Jeff's splendid vocals. But it is the next track, a Texas rocking "Sad But True" that will probably get the most attention of most listeners. Songs like this one, the pulse pounding "Waitin' On A Bone", the slow blues burner "Leave Me With Something Baby", and the Hendrix like "Drifting Away" are going to help gain the Maynard Brothers many fans worldwide, including this reviewer, who finds their work among some of the very best available today.
" Nasty Packages" is available from two of Bluesrockers favorite suppliers Pacific Sol at www.pacificsol.com and CD Baby at www.cdbaby.com. Be sure to visit the band online at www.maynardbrothersband.com.
Third Time IS a Charm
author: Matt Shina
This disc absolutely crushes,do not pass this up.A great collection of originals that highlight a truly talented band.How these guys come up with material that keeps getting better and better is beyond me. Toe tappers, heart wrenchers, its all here. Top it off with stellar writing and musicians...trust this: there WILL be people covering these songs!
"Take It From Me" review by Simone Bargelli, Rock N Blues Today, Italy:
"The return of Maynard Brothers Band seems like the third roar of a big blues lion...it's powerful, heavy and striking! Cool stuff with great rockin' blues for a genuine release. Hot guitar riffs thanks to Erv's and Gary's feeling; solid rhythms thanks to Harold's and Jeff's work. Great rock blues twang from an excellent band. TAKE IT FROM ME.....you won't be sorry! "
- Simone Bargelli, Rock N Blues Today 
Daily Freeman Review By David Malachowski, Reviewer
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Maynard Brothers' 'Honeymoon in Meatland' classic -- WITH MUSIC - 05/30/2008
Based in Johnsonville, the Maynard Brothers Band have a rockin' record of roadhouse blues called "Honeymoon In Meatland." Together in various incarnations for decades now, this definitive edition features Ervin (guitars) and Jeffery (bass and vocals) Maynard, as well as Harold Reiser (percussion) Gary "Zeke" Brajczewski (guitar) and Tony Perrino (keyboards). This blazing CD was recorded at Tony Perrino's Home Studio at the Greenfield Center.
Title track "Honeymoon in Meatland" kicks things off with and un-holy cross between Foghat, ZZ Top and every great bar band you've never heard as Jeffery Maynard's snarling vocal pulls the nasty track around by its ear. "Wasting My Time (in Love With You)" holds some sweet guitar licks.
"How Many Hearts" is a simmering slow blues, as Maynard and Zeke trade solos. Other highlights include the anxious "Different Kind Of Light," the blistering "The Storm is Raging" and the haunting "Dead Man's Clothes." The album closes with the introspective, dare we say pensive "Life Is Simple."
Though the Maynard Brothers are playing bigger clubs and quite a few festivals as of late, you can say that you take the band out of the bars, but you can't take the bar out of the band. The brothers' aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, and the classic grit and grind on this CD will never go out of style.
Let's hope.
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheMaynardBrothersBand |
