Weight Band - Shines like Gold [CD]

On their second studio album, Woodstock own The Weight Band looks at our troubled world, ponders the passage of time, and ultimately conveys a sense of hopefulness for the future. "There's a new dawn rising," they proclaim on the title track, "and it shines like gold."Shines Like Gold is a dynamic set of classic Americana that draws upon roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country soul and folk music. Composed of band leader, renowned guitarist Jim Weider (The Band, Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Band, Jim Weider Band), keyboardist Brian Mitchell (Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Band), bassist Albert Rogers (Jim Weider Band, Jimmy Vivino), drummer Michael Bram (Jason Mraz) and keyboardist Matt Zeiner (Dickey Betts), the veteran quintet shares a deep appreciation and knowledge for this music, which Weider describes as the "Woodstock Sound." The Weight Band continues to serve as it's torchbearer, with Shines Like Gold representing a sublime example of these masterful roots musicians at work.Featuring nine original songs (co-written by Weider, Colin Linden, Brian Mitchell and Matt Zeiner) plus a cover of a Willie Dixon gem, the album kicks off with "Weight of the World," a robust roots rocker that powerfully delivers a hopeful message for the times ahead. Mitchell's accordion gives a New Orleans touch to "Long Journey," a poignant song about persevering after losing a loved one. The standout lead single "Shines Like Gold" (Jim Weider & Colin Linden) offers an exuberant slice of Americana with it's reassuring "keep the faith" lyrics driven home by Bram and Rogers' powerful, galloping rhythm line and Weider's muscular Telecaster playing. Closing out the album is it's sole cover, with strong vocals by Bram, Mitchell and Zeiner, a bluesy, jazz-tinged rendition of Willie Dixon's "It Don't Make Sense (If You Can't Make Peace)," which still remains amazingly relevant.Weider served as The Band's lead guitarist from 1985-2000, following Robbie Robertson's departure. In the late 00s, he replaced Jimmy Vivino in the Levon Helm Band, which already included Mitchell. The connections extend further, as Rogers shared the stage with Helm and Garth Hudson while in The Jim Weider Band and Bram drummed in the Chris O'Leary Band, an off-shoot of Helm's band The Barnburners.