Red Herring – new CD “Here to distract you”
Red Herring from The Netherlands command respect as musicians and entertainers, now a four piece with the addition of Paul van Vlodrop they have a new CD “Here To Distract You” This album contains many original songs by Loes, Joram and Arthur andothers borrowed from well known writers. Originally due for release in September but it is out now.
The opening track “No Hearts Won” written by Loes and Michael Barok is a moody but strong song looking at love from within. The arrangement and vocals are well balanced and immediately capture your attention.
With track two they move into a real up tempo bluegrass song by Joram, “Rather Die Alone” about matching music and love. It rocks along and then suddenly there is the delightful sound of the uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes) played by guest Michael Boere who also appears on the following track “Pigs Upon a Ninja” a set of three tunes also written by Joram, combining flavours of Scandinavian fiddle, Gypsy Jazz and Irish traditional.
T”he Beaten Track” by Arthur and his friend Mike Ritchie and sung by Arthur is a personal statement on life and the roads you have to take. It reinforces this whole album as being very personal and intimate to all the Herrings.
Chris Jones’s “Uphill Climb” which is almost now a bluegrass standard delivers harmonies with feeling. Instrumentation on guitar and banjo with guest Floris De Vries plus the voice of Loes give this song added value.
“Wedding Dress” is a departure from bluegrass as it is an English traditional song originally performed by Pentangle. The Herrings give to an (almost) a capella rendition, accompanying the words with footsteps to keep the beat.
Another guest is Jeroen Schmohl on dobro who kicks-off Arthurs composition “The Longest Day”. Arthur sings this with Loes on backing vocals. their voices blend really well to express the feelings about ending relationships.
All the songs on this twelve track CD are of equal quality and variety, It is the product of a band that has thought long and hard about their music and what they want to say. The technical production is excellent and credit is due to Studio Volver and engineer Trip Theeuwes, Joram for the mixing and Dan Cobb of Independent Mastering in Nashville.