Sticking to the music of an older time doesn't mean you're stuck in the mud. Local old-time country group Mud River has a loyal following that appreciates their blend of western, folk, bluegrass and early country stylings, and on Monday the band strums out another concert. This time they have a new album to go with it.
Entitled To Know Know Know You, named for the 1958 classic tune To Know Him Is To Love Him (recorded over the years by the likes of Bobby Vinton; Amy Winehouse; Martina McBride; Trio-Ronstadt, Parton, Harris; Heidi Feek; and a variation by The Beatles).
The song was written by legendary record producer Phil Spector and recorded as a hoped-for hit single for the only band he ever produced of which he was also a member, The Teddy Bears. This Prince George version, and the rest of the album, too, was also self-produced by Mud River member Gord Dorish at his own home studio.
"We like to play the old standards from the 1940s, '50s, '60s and '70s. Nothing off the so-called-country radio stations you hear today," said Dorish. "We are always acoustic for these gigs. Our band configuration is similar in format to a bluegrass band, with the instruments we use and the harmonies, but we pick our sound more from that period just when rock 'n' roll was starting to come together. There is a lot of old country in that sound. We sometimes do dance gigs where we use electric instruments and drums, but that's not our focus."
Mud River is made up of Dorish on guitar and vocals, the same from Gerry DeBoer who also adds harmonica, also from Garth Laferdy who adds accordion, more guitar and vocals from Marlene Bernier (she was also in noted band The Lakeside Ramblers), and David Schultes adding vocals, bass, fiddle and banjo to their arrangements. Heavily experienced as performers, this group can trace its roots back to the seminal Elks Club band from decades gone by called The Elastic Band.
This upcoming concert will have the support of another music group. The Greer Valley Blackbirds will add a similar old-time country sound with their own twists and colours. This local band is a father-mother-two sons ensemble by the family name of Black.
Both these groups will share the stage at Art Space on Nov. 17 starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
