Tidalwave Road’s The Bonfire Sessions is the debut of a quartet that’s certain to become one of the most formidable units in the bluegrass genre. The band first formed in 2012 and has spent considerable time refining their chemistry in the Williamsburg, Kentucky area. Each of the EP’s five cuts, four written by banjo player Ben Parker, embraces classic bluegrass elements while interjecting a dollop of the modern world.
However, it’s the traditional tilt of the songwriting that deserves the most notice. Tidalwave Road’s material is rife with the customary imagery and themes defining the best bluegrass songs. The lyrics overflow with hard living, and hard luck, and embrace an unwavering fatalism. Few songs embody this better than the “I’ll See You There”. It’s a portrait in miniature of a seemingly idyllic world turned upside down by bad fortune, death, and imprisonment. The track’s structure focuses on delivering the song while buttressing the verses and chorus with instrumental showcases that highlight Carlie Parker’s mandolin and Robert Sulfridge’s guitar playing.
The second song, “18”, has a lighter musical touch. The lyrical subject matter keeps a similar focus as the opener. However, the intensity level dovetails nicely into the musical arrangement. Each of The Bonfire Sessions’ songs has a completeness reflecting the polish that Tidalwave Road aspires to with their material. The EP’s first single “Time and Money” is easily The Bonfire Sessions’ most accessible moment. It’s a song that has more encompassing appeal than the EP’s remaining four tracks. Tidalwave Road condenses their musical vision into a finished form that doesn’t waste a single note or syllable.
The Bonfire Sessions
Listen to The Bonfire Sessions on Spotify · Ep · Tidalwave Road Bluegrass Band · 2024 · 5 songs
“My Tortured Heart” is arguably the darkest moment. Carlie Parker’s vocal harmonies are never overwrought but serve Ben Parker’s lead vocals well. They have complementary voices. They adopt an up-tempo trajectory for the song’s arrangement that creates a striking contrast with the lyrically dire outlook. Tidalwave Road always balances its hard-bitten vision with the recognition that listeners are looking for entertaining music.
The last track, “Open the Gates”, shows their songwriting flexibility. The valedictory quality of the song’s subject matter expands their reach while pushing the same musical spirit. Ben Parker’s songwriting talents are illustrated by how he creates a well-delineated character through first-person lyrics without belaboring significant details. There’s ample variety packed within these lyrics. It’s an ideal closer for The Bonfire Sessions.
The Steve Wilson-produced affair sets the stage for great things to come. He’s producing their forthcoming album, and we can only assume that The Bonfire Sessions provides a tantalizing glimpse of triumphs to come. You get the feeling that Tidalwave Road has waited a dozen years for this moment, and they don’t disappoint. There’s an inspired spirit moving through each of the EP’s five songs, and Tidalwave Road’s energy never flags. Steve Wilson provides them with a robust and full-bodied sound representing their abilities in the best possible light. I hope this potent unit remains on the scene for years, if not decades, to come. They have the necessary talent.
Clay Burton