21 November 2011

By Patrick Butler | ResonateNews.com

CANTON, Texas — Wow. East Texas treasure was “discovered” Saturday night. There are times, there are moments when the heavens open, lightening strikes, and minutes of mind-boggling beauty is beheld in musical nirvana.

Such was Rambellwood's superlative second set at the Come Together Trading Company and retail store in Canton, Texas, on Saturday night. The business is also a “fair-trade” coffee emporium at 116 East Dallas St. in Canton.

The five-member family band from Winnsboro struck the chord, hit the note and touched the sky during a song trilogy called “Safe” that fairly electrified a late-staying audience at Come Together. Whooping and hollering, clapping and yelling appreciations, music lovers heaped praise and demanded more of the band made up of college-age musicians.

Lead guitarist Sam Ramsey, who spearheaded the “Safe” performance in front of evocative vocals by sister Emma, said the band's influence was “eclectic” in explaining the moody Pink Floyd-like, fuzz-tone feel of the song. That it definitely is. Rambellwood is unabashedly introspective and adventurous.

But Rambellwood's youth should not be held against it. The musically-inclined family has played together for years and it shows. They placed second in a 2010 contest field of 65 entries judged by gold-record selling musicians that included Jim Fielder, Dallas Holme and Gregory Swint. Even back then, suspicions that Rambellwood was special and bound for even better musical days was voiced by Fielder, formerly of Blood, Sweat & and Tears who said, “This is the kind of band I'd like to see where they go five years from now and see what they're doing.”

The prediction was prescient on Fielder's part. The trip out to hear Rambellwood on Saturday was not only worth it to hear their progress, it was a highlight evening.

East Texas has had an interesting coffee-shop musical culture for years. I've heard the offerings from excellent “British Invasion” renditions to folk to Texas blues. But the Rambellwood is something else. They are an innovative musical rarity in our area dominated by country and folk. They are definitely ones to watch and keep track of.

See the CD review for Rambellwood by Joyce Henry at www.ResonateNews.com

“This kind of musical entertainment is good for the heart soul and the spirit. Tune in for the future of this group. ... they have potential to make a mark...”
— Joyce Henry

 

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