Westerner

Formed in Edinburgh in 2007, the Wynntown Marshals tip their hat to artists like The Jayhawks, Wilco, Drive-By Truckers, Ryan Adams and Neil Young.

　　The Marshals’ sound can loosely be described as ‘country rock’, although the power pop hooks of ‘Two’s Company’ and the Stonesy swagger of ‘You Can Have My Heart’ convey the band’s love of guitars, their way with a catchy chorus and their unabashed belief in the power of rock music as a storytelling medium.

　　In 2008 the Marshals performed as UK tour support for the influential American singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet and performed to critical acclaim at the 2008 and 2009 Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots festivals in Ireland.

　　The band has also supported other renowned Americana acts including Richmond Fontaine and Jason & The Scorchers.

　　Their debut album ‘Westerner’ was produced by the band and Graham Deas (KT Tunstall, Super Furry Animals) at the Substation in Fife.

　　Chief songwriter Keith Benzie follows the storytelling tradition of the Americana genre and touches on some diverse subject matter, including the world’s only albino gorilla (‘Snowflake’), 50s pin-up artists (‘Gil’) and the devastation of trench warfare (‘Divine Compassion’).

　　Pedal steel-drenched ballads (‘Nelly’ and ‘All That I Want’) serve as a counterpoint to songs like the epic, pastoral, slow burner ‘Thunder in the Valley’ and the band’s Hammond-organ led, widescreen paean to a Greyhound trip gone bad ’48 Hours’.

　　Throughout the album guest keys player Ali Petrie’s parts complement the excellent guitar interplay of Iain Sloan and Iain Barbour, and the heartfelt lyrics and vocals help the band forge a sound that is truly their own.

　　Their single release ‘The Ballad of Jayne’ (a celebrated cover of a song by 80s American rockers LA Guns) is also included on the album. The same single received airplay from Bob Harris on his BBC Radio 2 show, and he proclaimed the track to be ‘excellent – a current favourite’.

　　The band urge you to pack your bags and get on the next bus to Wynntown – a small, homely place populated by down to earth, hard working types, where a fist fight is often followed by a bear hug and lost love and heartache might be only a drink away.

　　A few of the locals might seem a little rough round the edges but you can be sure of a warm welcome. You never know, you might just want to stay a while.

　　The Wynntown Marshals are:

　　Keith Benzie – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica

　　Keith Jones – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

　　Iain Sloan – Pedal Steel, Guitars, Backing Vocals

　　Iain Barbour – Lead & Baritone Guitars

　　Murdo MacLeod – Bass Guitar

　　The Wynntown Marshals – “Westerner”

　　Source: Heaven magazine [the Netherlands]

　　Date: August 2010

　　It’s a quality you come to find with almost all the good Scottish bands – the capacity to process their (American) influences in extremely strong songs.

　　It’s maybe not immediately original, but there is so much experience and melodic strength throughout that this album totally satisfies.

　　“Westerner”, the latest record from Edinburgh’s Wynntown Marshals, is one of the best European Americana albums ever delivered – easily handling comparisons with the best country-rock from the other side of the ocean.

　　Originating from the virtually unknown Sundowns comes singer/songwriter Keith Benzie and drummer Keith Jones, with pedal steel guitarist Iain Sloan and lead guitarist Iain Barbour.

　　The Marshals have a rich and varied country rock sound reminiscent of the Jayhawks at their peak (“Hollywood Town Hall” and “Tomorrow The Green Grass”).

　　Beautifully played and sung with occasional flourishes of melancholic steel guitar and divine harmonies, there are flashes of the extreme beauty of Wilco and the Bottle Rockets.

　　“Westerner” is one of those Americana albums where everything just feels right.

　　We would be really surprised if, at the time of publication of this edition of “Heaven”, this CD has not already been picked up by a larger label.

　　We have rarely heard more marketable Americana.