Daniel Duncan Compositions, Arrangements, Vocals, Guitar and Banjo
Liz Adams Double Bass, Backup Vocals, Arrangement
James Vaughn Cello
Rachel Blanton Violin
Jacob Duncan Alto and Tenor Sax, Clarinet
Gary Pahler Drums and Percussion
"Oh man. My favorite part about this job is finding things that I would probably never find on my own. Commonwealth is one of those bands. They call themselves a mix of jazz and folk, which works I guess, but doesn't fully give a clear picture. The folk is certainly there at times, but in the same way that you could call Neutral Milk Hotel a folk band. It works, but doesn't fully describe it. Actually, this album sounds a lot like NMH: heavy on the vocal melodies that take more influence from indie rock and punk than Guthrie or Dylan.
Commonwealth's use of instruments is what sets them apart I feel. Odd tempos, well orchestrated dynamics, polyrhythms (quick music lesson: polyrhythms are when there are two different time signatures on top of each other. Example: 4/4 and x, so every 12 measures they line up, then break up again), and more all fill this album not only to the brink with interesting music, but also music that is pretty enough to fully grasp. I hear the jazz influence, but it seems to pull more from the free-jazz movement rather than the Kenny G. most people might think of. This is an amazing release."- -John Shelton Ivany--www.jsitop21.com
“ ...a beautifully wild album. In a musical world heavily populated with dull re-creations of styles best left in the past, The Commonwealths Self-Titled album adds a new dimension to a nearly lost art form.” -Larry Sakin, Blogcritics.com
"The Commonwealth is certainly on their way to something great. This record is a step in right direction and I think they are a gem in today's murky musical/artistic waters. It seems taboo these days to “try” in music and sincere effort is a hard thing to find, well there is plenty here to be heard and felt." -Chriss Sutherland of Cerberus Shoal
"This is a new breed of folk-jazz, hinting at modern compostion and old-timey music in ways never before heard. This folk-jazz, though, is closer to Jimmie Rodgers' "Blue Yodel 9" to Van Morrison's Astral Weeks or Tim Buckley. A folk-jazz that reminds us of the days before the industry had put such labels on the people's music." -Dave Wolkensperg of Blow Up in Japanese
Buy Our New CD for $12 postage paid or $10 Digital
Ut Gret
I just wanted to remind you that by adding me as a myspace friend you have legally agreed to only address me as "The Wabash Cannonball" when you see me around two or more people. (See page 14 of my thing.) I play your cd all the time. Because I love it.
we miss daniel. hope things are well. it's imperative you come to minneapolis soon. we have a whole practice space full of toys...let's make some music.
