A Lovely Insight
Hayman, Watkins, Trout and Lee are probably East London's finest bluegrass band formed by Hayman and Watkins in 2005 as an escape from their 'career' bands. The original idea was to create a band where everyone could provide vocals, submit material and there would be as little ego as possible. Dan Mayfield, and Dave Tattersall of The Wave Pictures replaced Trout and Lee to form the current, highly attractive line-up.
This, their debut album was created in two days at Darren's house and consists of 7 original songs and covers by Townes Van Zandt and The Mountain Goats as well as traditional numbers. It’s a jaunty and pleasant collection of tracks conforming to the bluegrass genre with pretty violins and picked ukelele. Knowing that the album isn't intended to shift units, but more as a testimony of the results of the band's jams makes it all the more endearing, but it's a lovely record filled with sweet tunes and pretty melodies. 'Sly and the Family Stone' kicks off the album with sweet vocal harmonies and a bright tune. Most of the songs end up being about women, in that typical country way, "I like her strong hip bones, I like her strong arms", serenade the band on, 'That's Why She Left Me (Why She Came Back)'. The jangly instrumental, 'Buckdancer's Choice' is a nice break from the country love songs, it's a whirling rush of stringed excitement, while 'Napoleon Crossing the Rhine' adds a lovely folk touch with gorgeous violin melody and pretty plucked ukelele.
'Fine Young Cannibals' is a gorgeous gem of a song with some gentle rippling melodies behind the lilting vocals, while closer, 'Bethnal Green' is a wondrous note to end on with soft vocal, uplifting vocal harmonies and sighing violins.
Hayman, Warkins, Trout & Lee's debut is a cheerful and lovely collection of traditional, cover and original tunes that flow cohesively to create an upbeat and lively album that's great listening if you're feeling a bit down.