Album Details

• Artist: The Giving Tree Band
• Album: Unified Folk Theory
• Label: Crooked Creek
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2007-09-14

"Unified Folk Theory" is a generous 33 song, two disc set of folk jazz and more folk that builds off of traditional instrumentation, subject matter and composition to extend into their own vision. This is not freak -folk, or New Folk or whatever; this is right on folk-based music that is inspired and channels the best the genre used to offer. The band has in the past donated time and song proceeds to local job training programs, which is better than a protest rally any day. The Giving Tree Band are from Chicago, and the four musicians are here to be judged on the music, not philanthropy, so let’s get to it. You believe the sincerity of such hopeful songs as "sunshine Baby" and Hit The Road," which vary tempos from ballad to stomp, with some bluegrass coloring to boot. You even believe, in their hands, a tune like "Blessed Are The Peacemakers," its sentiment devoid of irony, freak hippness, or of a sense of hippie wishful thinking.

The Giving Tree Band mean it and bring it home. There is something comforting to know that there can still be great hopeful music made, without conceit or naivety. A band that practice what they preach and evidence to show, on "Unified Folk Theory" GTB bring it all back home in a real way.

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