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2007-12-05

by Don Simpson

The Rosewood Thieves 'Lonesome'

Summary

Invisible republic revisited

Article

Written and recorded last winter in the basement of Erick Jordan’s parents’ house in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains while Jordan and his band, The Rosewood Thieves, were patiently waiting out a snowstorm; Lonesome is eerily reminiscent of some other basement tapes that were recorded by Bob Dylan and the Band. The similarity to Dylan’s infamous recording sessions is due in part to the immediacy of recordings, the spontaneity, the feeling that the musicians are just having fun while passing some time. The nonchalant air of their three-day recording session is what makes the six-song Lonesome EP something special. The musicianship is impeccable, as if Jordan (vocals and guitar), Mackenzie Vernacchio (organ), Paul Jenkins (guitar and bass) and Mark Bordenet (Drums) have been playing together forever; yet the songwriting itself does not sound spontaneous at all. The songs, with their lackadaisical 1967-1974 vibe, sound as if they have been passed down through the decades; perfected yet never permitted the permanence of being placed on tape.

Then there is Jordan’s gravely voice, which sounds as though it is emanating from an old soul, aged well beyond Jordan’s mere 21-years. His vocals are akin to Dylan’s but with proper diction and an ever-so-slight country twang; while his lyrics are simple yet earnest, profound yet understated. The narrator of these songs could only be old and weathered, a recluse inseparable from his quiet country home; someone who in his day had seen and done it all, who had experienced immense sorrow and great happiness - not a young songwriter from the hip urbanity of Brooklyn.

The Lonesome EP is The Rosewood Thieves’ follow-up to their From the Decker House EP (recently re-released with three bonus tracks) and a precursor to their much anticipated premiere LP which is currently in the works.

The Rosewood Thieves are bringing their east coast take on their lazy west coast sound of yesteryear to Los Angeles for two performances: December 11 at Bordello at 9:00 p.m. and December 12 at Silverlake Lounge at 10:00 p.m. For more information concerning either performance: http://www.foldsilverlake.com/