TheMutineers

Check out some HD videos of our performance this summer with Live Maine Jams in Freeport. We were on a bill that included Meantone and Greenhead as well at Freeport Square art gallery in June.

Thank you to all who came out to support our efforts for the Preble Street Resource Center benefit show we did. We had an excellent showing and raised some money! Thanks also to Michael Gilroy and Frontier for there assistance and willingness to team up on this. Also, to Gunther Brown who performed wonderfully and helped make it a great evening.

On December 4^th, local acoustic trio The Mutineers team up with Frontier Café in a holiday benefit concert. All proceeds will go directly to Preble Street Resource Center in Portland Maine. Established in 1975, the mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems. Joining The Mutineers on stage will be Gunther Brown a wonderful five-piece rock band from the Portland area. Please come out and support a worthy cause, hear some great music, eat some delicious food, and enjoy the holiday season at Frontier Café on Friday, December 4^th.

A Solid Groove

Mutineers’ ‘Coal Creek’ charges through old & new

By William Earl, http://themaineswitch.com/story/view/2181/

Although Southern Maine is sometimes dismissed by those upstate as an extended arm of big-city Boston, one of the state’s most tightest down-home roots groups is headquartered in this region. The Mutineers, an acoustic trio of seasoned musicians who consistently maintain a tight, clean sound, have come roaring back from their sparkling 2005 debut “Where Mockingbirds Roam” with “Coal Creek,” a blend of wisely arranged traditionals and moving originals.

Comprised of guitarist Stuart MacDonald, acoustic bassist Rod Pervier and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Trippe, the group is studied enough in its strings to confidently tackle some true bluegrass milestones. The album begins with “Little Maggie,” which has previously been covered by a bevy of heavyweights ranging from Ricky Skaggs to Bob Dylan. But the men more than hold their own during effortless runs and adept solos. Anchoring the group are MacDonald’s pristine vocals, which lift the listener to the golden era of bluegrass, retaining sunny melody to spare. Furthermore, the song’s inventive arrangement allows for a well-paced instrumental outro which brings another level of understanding to the mechanics of the tune.

Although three other standards are well played, the real gems are originals, primarily penned by MacDonald. Lyrically, the material fits the bluegrass custom of gentle clichés and universal truths. But within the good-natured scheme of the music, even potentially hackneyed ideas sound genuine. In “Love Devine,” the understanding that “The hardships of life melt away / When her hand is wrapped up tight in mine,” is not revelatory. But thanks to the emotion with which MacDonald sings and a swelling fiddle line, courtesy of guest Hope Hoffman, the track remains one of the most nuanced and lovely moments on the disc.

Every song here shimmers with a unique vivacity. A take on “Diamond Joe” features a soulful acoustic guitar solo with just the right touches of harmonica interspersed. “Cuckoo,” a drastic rewrite of the classic “The Cuckoo,” is welcomingly menacing, adding some unexpected grit to the proceedings. The album’s title track is also among the strongest, offering a downtempo reflection which takes its time to burn through a tale of economic and spiritual woe.

Although an abundance of slow songs can often kill the pacing of an album, “Coal Creek” rewards listeners patient enough to enjoy it with true throwback magic. Credit taut musicianship, where every note matters and instruments are wrangled in ways that only true artists could conjure.

Maine native William Earl is a musician and music writer. He’s currently living in Boston but has his ears on Maine-made music.

Great local string band music - The Mutineers release their CD "Coal Creek" from www.mainefolkmusic.com

CD review by Bob McKillop

The Mutineers (http://www.themutineers.com/) define themselves by their love of traditional string band music. They have brought that devotion to life in their new album, “Coal Creek”.

Mainers who enjoy this type of music have known about this three-piece acoustic band for quite a few years now, even though there have been some personnel changes: Stuart MacDonald is the sole charter member in the group. But the high caliber of the musicianship, and the strong songwriting, have remained consistent since the beginning. This new CD will hopefully help to extend the boundaries of the band’s success beyond the local music scene here in Maine.

The disc is comprised of twelve songs, four of which are traditional tunes, and MacDonald has written the others. He got some co-writing help from band mate Jeff Trippe on “Whisky Road”, and from his grandmother’s poetry on “Prism”. The “East Virginia Blues” track is attributed to MacDonald, and is a lyrical update on a favorite old time song. MacDonald’s songwriting relies heavily on his love for traditional string band, old time, and British Isles acoustic music. He has managed to honor that foundation without coming off trite or derivational.

The title track is a hard-luck ramble about loss of job, loss of love, loss of hope. MacDonald’s resonating, rich vocal carries the tune from one verse to the next, with a classic jug band track in the background. Rod Pervier’s bass line is nicely present, and Stu’s guitar and Jeff’s mandolin walk alongside like gently rippling stream. Ben MacDonald contributes a nice dobro line.

In “Cuckoo”, Trippe takes up the banjo and lays it under the track like the clicking of the rails under a railroad coach. MacDonald’s guitar picking and strumming fill out the sonic pallet, while his lead work keeps the groove interesting. It’s a song of love betrayed, and the sorrows of a life afterwards, but as in many traditional songs, the lyrics are a vehicle for instrumental hijinks.

“Love Devine” features fiddle work by the wonderful local talent, Hope Hoffman. Her sweet melodic lines brighten this tune, above and beyond the joyful plucking of Trippe’s mandolin. Trippe also contributes some killer vocal harmonies, as he does in some of the other tunes on this disc. His high, tight voice comes through the mix like a sharp knife, never competing with MacDonalds lead, always embellishing. These are some of the most skilled and musically aware backing vocals that I’ve heard on a local production. It is a very optimistic, joyous song.

Stu MacDonald credits his late, beloved grandmother, Barbara Sewall MacDonald, as co-writer on “Prism”; he wrote the song from lines in her poetry. The lyrics are beautiful.

“Like a prism I hold my life up to the scrutiny of the sun

I see the colors of my past blending and meeting into one

I choose to remember the best, as memories come flooding back to me

I hold ‘em in my hand, I let the bad ones go, floatin’ away on the evening breeze”

This track is a very nicely arranged piece. A beautiful pedal steel line by Alan Bean compliments an uplifting keyboard part by Kim Bean; this is especially well done in the instrumental break. I loved this tune.

“Lonesome Road” is a solo by Stu MacDonald – it sounds as if it’s just his vocals, his guitar, and his harmonica. The simple arrangement is clean, clear, well recorded, and brings out the theme and tone of the song nicely. McDonald is a skilled guitarist, bringing lots of texture and dynamics into his playing. When accompanying himself, the coordination of his instrument and his vocals result in a tighter meter and better lyrical phrasing than we hear in some of the other tunes. This is an acoustic gem.

Some other valued and very talented contributors from the local music scene include Charlie Gaylord (Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers, GFAC 207) on electric guitar and Kevin Midgley on national steel guitar. They add much to the enjoyment of the record, even if the mix may, at times, not do them justice on the more complex arrangements. Stu MacDonald and Jeff Trippe are credited as producers, and the disc was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Baked Bean Recording in Harrison, Maine. In general, the record sounds great, especially the positioning of Stu’s lead vocals and Jeff’s harmonies – nicely done!

The Mutineers, an acoustic music trio which has been in the thick of the traditionalist revival in southern Maine for a number of years, will follow up their 2005 release Where Mockingbirds Roam with their second CD, called Coal Creek, on October 9^th at One Longfellow Square in Portland . This record is a mix of traditional and original songs ranging from a unique and soulful arrangement of “Barbara Allen” to contemporary pieces which deal frankly with the heartache of loss as well as the redemptions of love and family.

The Mutineers’ founder and lead vocalist, Stuart MacDonald , demonstrates an uncanny knack for taking the basic idea of an old tune – “The Cuckoo,” for example – and giving it a transfusion through new lyrics and fresh arrangement. MacDonald commented on his approach to songwriting:

“The depth and beauty in traditional folk music is what got me playing and singing in the first place. This music can’t fade away and it informs everything I do as a musician. It’s natural that it would start to inform and inspire me when dabbling in writing as well. Both to add to something old and to create something new within that tradition; that’s the goal.”

Many of the songs on the album, though, are entirely original. The title cut, “Coal Creek,” is a good example of MacDonald’s songwriting, and “Whiskey Road,” a collaborative effort from MacDonald and band mate Jeff Trippe, is one man’s hard-headed look back at his checkered past. Guest artist Charlie Gaylord ’s classic-country Telecaster guitar solo gives the song just the right amount of grit.

As far as instrumentation on the rest of the record, it is – as the band likes to say – “100 percent acoustic.” Trippe handles most of the lead work on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, while MacDonald’s vocals, intertwined with his blues-based mouth-harp playing, is alternately gruff or mournful, blunt or mellifluous. Upright bassist Rod Pervier ’s impeccable timing is the heartbeat of the project, and both Trippe and Pervier add harmony vocals.

In addition to Gaylord, guest artists include fiddler Hope Hoffman, slide player Kevin Midgley , dobroist Ben MacDonald , and Kim and Alan Bean. The album was mixed and mastered at Baked Beans Recording in Harrison , Maine .

The Mutineers play traditional folk, blues and old-time country music. With the necessary ingredients (guitar, mandolin, acoustic bass, dobro, banjo) the songs are adapted and arranged in ways that are at once traditional and unique.

The songs are selected, arranged and sung by Stuart MacDonald, who has been collecting, learning and playing traditional folk music for a number of years.

Jeff Trippe who has been playing acoustic music for more than thirty years. He hales from the southeastern U.S., where he performed with various bands over the years and has also worked as a solo act and recording artist.

Rounding out the trio is Darren Finnegan who joined us in spring of 2008. He is a reputable bass player in the Maine scene and we're very happy to have him join us.

MEDIA: "Here's the latest from the 100 percent acoustic string band The Mutineers from the desk of vocalist, guitarist and harp man Stuart MacDonald .

MacDonald reports that his bandmate Jeff Trippe, who plays fiddle and mandolin and sings, has just released a solo record that is available at all of the band's show.

The full band is looking to record a follow up to "Where Mockingbirds Roam" this fall.

The Mutineers have carved out a niche for themselves with their devotion to traditional songs ranging from folk to blues and old-time country. They are influenced and inspired by the music of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and Hank Williams.

Some could say that this is the music that time forgot, but most of us realize it's the cornerstone of the music that followed.

We're fortunate to have a band like The Mutineers here in Portland , keeping this style of music alive and doing it skillfully."

Watch a video of The Mutineers performing "Lakes of Pontchartrain." This was taped at the WMPG studios on Friday October 6th.

The Mutineers have been nominated for the second straight year in the Phoenix 2006 "Best Music Poll." We are up for the best "Roots/Bluegrass Act." We appreciate the nomination and tip our hats to the other great acts. Thanks for your support!

The band now has a site in the music section of the online community MYSPACE.COM. Please visit us for more mp3's, photos, performance information or just to leave some feedback in the comment section.

The band appeared on 98.9FM WCLZ's "Greetings From Area Code (207)" show last year. We did an interview and some live songs from the record. Two of the three songs performed are available for download/listening HERE.

The album is also available at iTunes or at all Maine BULLMOOSE MUSIC locations.

"Where Mockingbirds Roam" was featured in the Portland Press Herald's "GO" entertainment magazine on November 24th. Here's the review:

"As pleasant as an unexpected summer evening zephyr is the local acoustic trio The Mutineers. "Where Mockingbirds Roam" is their new CD, and listening to it makes me wish I was sitting on a porch swing watching fireflies and hearing the screen door shut as someone appears with a tray of lemonade and watermelon.

This is not to say it's all roses and sunshine; several Mutineers songs express heartache and blues, but they are perfectly dressed in just the right amount of mandolin, harmonica, banjo, dobro, acoustic bass and certainly guitar.

Lead vocalist Stuart MacDonald has a sweet ache in his voice that carries songs like "Delia Blues" along a thorny path of lonesome woes."

The Portland Phoenix featured a review of "Where Mockingbirds Roam" in mid-October. Read the review!

"Throughout the disc, the trio make good use of their spare instrumentation, never threatening to overpower a song, and showing good restraint in their pacing. As every musician knows, it’s harder to play slow and sound good than to play fast and hope people don’t notice when you screw up. The Mutineers play slow and sound great."

The Mutineers were nominated for "Best Traditional/Roots Act" in 2005 Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll!