Thursday, March 8, 2018

“Stranger” by Dirtwire – A Song Review

     “Stranger” is a combination of the historically underappreciated Muddy Waters and the modernized sampling of Coleman Hell’s “2 Heads.” That isn’t entirely fair, since “Stranger” is from Dirtwire, a trio who began generating quality music before Coleman Hell. But “2 Heads” is the song that introduced many Indie fans to the joys of banjo in the Electronica genre.  
     “Stranger” has the ideal structure for a drop-the-mic, thank-you-for-attending track to close a live performance. The single begins with a banjo playing a melody that removes any doubt from fans of Dirtwire as to what is about to occur. At a venue, attendees begin to stir. Then, the thumping percussion establishes the beat and people begin to move in unison. At times, “Stranger” is driven by Bluesy harmonica having appeal across a range of genres. And there are audience-inviting lyrics, which are “agreeable” for the vocally challenged, easily grasped, and deviant – call me what you want, just “Don’t you ever call me by my name.”

     The song is from the album “Blaze.” Dirtwire is from Oakland, California. “Stranger” instructed listenters not to call them by their name, but we did enter Dirtwire into the app Bandsintown,  so we will be notified each time Dirtwire performs within driving distance.

    The members of Dirtwire are David Satori, Evan Fraser, and Mark Reveley. For each, the listing of instruments is striking. We had to research some of the names. Interestingly, the band includes two theremin players and one cigar box guitarist. Here is the Facebook information:
  David Satori plays: violin, banjo, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, slide banjo, jimbush, kone, guimbri, samples, piano, ilimba, theremin, percussion, drums & production.
  Evan Fraser plays: vocals, kamale n'goni, megaphone, harmonica, lap steel slide guitars, jaw harps, kaen, ilimba, piano, synth, theremin, melodica, berimbau, pandeiro, mouthbow, bones, beatbox, zabumba, calabash & percussion.
  Mark Reveley plays: resonator guitar, electric banjo, whamola 1 string bass, cigar box guitar, vocals, and percussion.

     “Stranger” by Dirtwire 


Quoting the bio of Dirtwire:
  "Dirtwire sits on the front porch of Americana’s future, conjuring up a whirlwind of sound using traditional instrumentation, world percussion, soundscapes, and electronic beats. Comprised of David Satori (Beats Antique), Evan Fraser (Hamsa Lila; Bolo), and Mark Reveley (Jed and Lucia), each performance brings both band and audience to a mysterious crossroads of beats, blues, African, Asian, and South American sounds. The result is a rebirth of Americana and a post-millennial psychedelic journey to downhome goodness."

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