The recent acoustic album shows clearly that Dwight’s music and vocals are infinitely capable of standing alone. However, the majority of the fan experience, performance and CDs, includes the Babylonian Cowboys – a composite of extremely talented musicians who put their own stamp on the songs as they are most often heard. Rather than going into all the minutia of their musical backgrounds (you can find this data as well as links at both Yoakam Holler and Pete Anderson's site), I’d like to express my perspective of what they bring to the songs.
It goes without saying that Pete Anderson is a guitar player extraordinaire. You have only to listen to the plaintive sounds of A Thousand Miles From Nowhere, or the electric licks of Long White Cadillac or Fast As You to be convinced of this. (Do yourself a favor and pick up Pete’s Working Class and Dogs In Heaven CDs.) If you’re into guitar, or simply into good music, Pete’s the man. He deserves double kudos as Producer of all the albums.
Although he’s at the back of the stage behind the drums, it would be hard to miss Jim Christie and his shock of wild hair. Jim has been quoted as saying "I don’t see anything (on stage). I spend the first three songs trying to get my mechanics right and feel like I’m in the loop." From all the toe tapping I see going on at the shows, I think it’s safe to say that Jim is definitely in the loop. That and a devilish grin make Jim E. hard to miss.
Skip Edwards mentioned once that he switched to keyboards "because you get to play more notes". I think that really speaks to the versatility and latitude of sound the instrument allows, and when you put a musician of Skip’s caliber at the keys … well, the result is nothing short of phenomenal. And you just can’t help but want to dance hearing Skip’s accordion on Streets of Bakersfield. I really enjoy listening to all the notes Skip plays.
Fiddle champion Scott Joss toured with Merle Haggard before joining the Babylonian Cowboys – what better recommendation could there be? Scott’s haunting fiddle can literally make you tear up sometimes, and when you add his whiskey-smooth voice in the background … well, it just gives you goose bumps. Scott has several CDs of his own that I think you’ll enjoy.
There’s something about the sound of a steel that just goes right through me, so the addition of Gary Morse to the BCs is super as far as I’m concerned. You’ll see Gary on several instruments, including dobro and banjo, throughout the course of a show. Gary has toured with The Judds, Pam Tillis, and Ricky Skaggs among others, and adds another layer to an already smooth sound.
A funky, blues-y twist to hillbilly music is what bass player Taras Prodaniuk brings to the mix. I love watching Taras play as he grooves to the music. And if you like cajun swamp music, check out the Mojo Monkeys "Hang", with Taras as bass player. A highly eclectic and very cool wardrobe is another of Taras’ pluses.
Obviously talented individuals in their own right, what is most amazing is the incredibly cohesive unit they form on stage. Everything "blends" into a swingin, rockin vibe that has you tapping your toes and swiveling your hips – don’t know how anyone could not want to dance when Dwight and the boys are on stage. It’s abundantly clear how much they enjoy playing together; you have only to watch Scott and Taras grinning at one another as they go through their licks, see Pete and Skip joking on stage, or Dwight turn to Jim E., say something and laugh. They provide a tremendous show and the fans appreciate it and them!
No tribute to Dwight could be complete without recognition of the Babylonian Cowboys as an integral part of the musical experience.
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