BoDeans
The best singing and songwriting partnerships involve a respectful give and take — whether it’s in the trading of lyrical or melodic ideas, an exchange of guitar riffs, or the blending of vocal harmonies. Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann initiated such a partnership more than 20 years ago. As frontmen for the BoDeans, one of the premier American roots-rock bands, they forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies, and ringing guitars. That sound first surfaced on the group’s critically acclaimed, T-Bone Burnett-produced 1986 debut, LOVE & HOPE & SEX & DREAMS (the title comes from a line in the Rolling Stones anthem Shattered).
The album propelled the band onto the national spotlight as it broke into Billboard’s Top 100, aided by a touring slot with U2, an appearance on Robbie Robertson’s self-titled debut solo album, and being named “Best New Band” by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time of the release of the BoDean’s third album, HOME (1989), Michael Ramos (keyboards) and Danny Gayol (drums) joined Llanas and Neumann. This lineup stayed intact for the release of BLACK AND WHITE (1991), but the BoDeans were drummerless again as of the release of GO SLOW DOWN (1993). Following the release of the 1995 live double-album JOE DIRT CAR, the BoDeans returned in 1996 with BLEND. Also at this time, Closer To Free, a tune from GO SLOWDOWN was tapped as the theme song to the ’90s generation-defining television show, Party Of Five and became an instant hit with the program’s millions of weekly viewers. Following an eight-year hiatus, the BoDeans made their Zoë Records debut with 2004’s acclaimed RESOLUTION.
Produced at Neumann’s Slamshack studio near Austin, Texas, RESOLUTION is an inspired collection of classically simple songs that keenly demonstrates Llanas and Neumann’s finely-honed musical edge. A big part of the BoDeans’ sound is the harmony created by the duo’s vocals. It’s a sweet-and-sour blend that has colored BoDean songs dating back to such popular early numbers as She’s A Runaway, Fadeaway, and Still The Night, or Only Love, from the band’s second album, OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, produced by Talking Head Jerry Harrison.
According to Llanas, it’s a sound that he and Neumann first discovered in high school, growing up in Waukesha, Wisconsin. “Although our voices are very different,” says Llanas. “they really complement each other. Kurt’s got more of a smooth, lower tone and can do that bottom thing, where I’ve got more of a high, raspy, gravelly thing that I can lay right on top. When we put the two together, we get a nice, rich spectrum of tones.” Ten years have passed since the BoDeans documented the power and sound of their live show on JOE DIRT CAR. Now, celebrating over 20 years on the road and affirming their strong Midwestern ties, the BoDeans return to their hometown with HOMEBREWED: Live From The Pabst — a special 2-CD set that captures the band’s infectious on-stage energy from New Year’s Eve, 2004 at Milwaukee’s historic Pabst Theater. - Black Porch Records
