|
reviews of the band and cd 'blue ribbon buzz'
|
|
|
|
Drew Emmitt w/Billy Nershi & Keith Moseley from the String Cheese Incident, Tony Furtado & BS
11.25.05 - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO - "Self-described "pre-opening band" Buckskin Stallion warmed things up for the big guns with a catchy set of country rock, offering quite a different sound from what was to follow. Their tunes highlighted lead singer and rhythm guitarist Troy Schoenfelder's skills as a songwriter and a storyteller, primarily with tracks from the band's 2004 debut record Blue Ribbon Buzz. Schoenfelder had an entirely different band behind him on Friday from the group on the recording. His new crew consists of Dave Shapiro on lead guitar and harmony vocals, John Macy on pedal steel guitar, Scott Bugher on bass and Todd Moore on drums.
They kicked things off with the record's title track and enticed the first dancers to the floor with Schoenfelder's lyrics of "the last thing I wanted was the first thing I got," backed up with some old-time honky-tonk licks from the band. Following that, they turned the traditional bluegrass staple "Jack of Diamonds" on its head with their treatment of the song. Schoenfelder sounded like he was rapping a dirge, and the hard-core bluegrass fans in the audience were amused with his insertion of lyrics from another old time song — "The Cuckoo."
Buckskin Stallion followed with more originals, including an ode to the Pioneer Inn in Nederland, "P.I. Jubilee," and the infectious "New Town," both of which had saucy, electric licks that invited those who weren't already on the dance floor to get out there quickly. The abbreviated set left the audience wanting more and primed for the next act... " -by Kathy Foster-Patton - Jambase.com
|
|
|
Top Local Vocalist - Top Of The Town 2005 - June/July issue of 5280 Magazine
Editor's Choice - Troy Schoenfelder of Buckskin Stallion - Buckskin Stallion's fine 2004 debut, Blue Ribbon Buzz, set a new standard in Colorado roots music. Influenced equally by Woody Guthrie and Dave Alvin, singer-songwriter Troy Schoenfelder offers a seamless blend of both blue-collar sensibilities. Not to mention Buckskin puts on one hell of a live show.
|
|
|
'Linked - live review' - No Depression #55 - Jan/Feb 2005
Buckskin Stallion - Conor O'Neill's (Boulder, CO) November 19, 2004.
An Irish pub in a college town on a Friday night - the crowd is festive,
to say the least. Troy Schoenfelder brushes back his dark, curly hair and introduces Buckskin Stallion's seismic travelogue "New Town" as a song "about painkillers and whiskey"; the joint erupts with approval. A
dozen university kids tumble, beers in hand, toward the tiny dance... In a Colorado music scene that now finds alt-country groups outnumbering the once omnipresent jam bands -
check out Drag The River and the Railbenders... Songs from the band's 2004 debut Blue Ribbon Buzz dominate the set. The vivacious "Christ on a Crutch", high-altitude romp "P.I. Jubilee" and the Tele-driven title track particularly connect tonight. The most thrilling moment, though,
is a haunting new tune called "Riverboat Captain". The commanding elegy shows Schoenfelder taking a turn from the linear writing toward the
abstract. The result is stark horror elegantly told: "My shadow fell
from the steeple bell/The river to a lava flow/I anchored my chain of
fiery rain/Jenny I'm so alone." Schoenfelder's masterfully fluid
storytelling is evident on "Mama Does Her Best", "Won't Hurt Me" and especially the wonderful slice of Americana "Aces Backed By 8's". Each packs a striking melodic hook to keep the front of the room moving. A high-powered cover of the band's namesake tune, Townes Van Zandt's
"Buckskin Stallion Blues", and the best reading of the Stones' "Dead
Flowers" this side of Steve Earle & the Dukes prove Buckskin to be
engaging interpreters as well. The audience consists not only of
frat boys toasting boozy one-liners and drinking like outlaws, but also
their teachers, who appreciate Schoenfelder's tightly-phrased
narratives. Party animals and academics socializing in the same room -sounds like a Robert Earl Keen show. In fact, it seems Schoenfelder is in the early stages of shaping a similar legacy.
|
|
|
Hapi Skratch Awards 2004 - CDs of the year:
Buckskin Stallion – Blue Ribbon Buzz- Americana/Roots ***
Mercury Project – Soapbox Jive - Rock/Alternative ***
Tyfoid Mary – Quarantine - Hard Rock/Metal ****
In 2003 HS gave out 4 awards, but this year it was 3. CDs, regardless of genre, in their specific market, that stood out above the rest of what we got to work with. These awards are judged on the complete content of the final recording from studio production, musicianship and performance, songwriting, art design and packaging, and how they stand up to other top critically acclaimed titles nationally and internationally in their genre.
|
|
|
Maverick Magazine's - Live review of Guy Clark & Buckskin Stallion on 20 Aug '04
“...The only downside this evening in the grand scope is miniscule: Clark's omission of a Townes Van Zandt cover, usually a staple of his live set. But opener Buckskin Stallion, named after Van Zandt's dreamy tune 'half about a girl, half about a horse,' balanced it out early on.
Colorado's new favorite sons tendered a gorgeous, languid reading of Rex's Blues followed by a jet-fuelled cover of their namesake song. Proving this band worthy to warm the stage for Clark, Buckskin highlighted its hour-long set with Aces Backed By 8's, arguably the best alt-country song released by any band this year-and possibly the finest driving song since Son Volt's Windfall.
Lead singer and songwriter Troy Schoenfelder later dropped jaws with Riverboat Captain, a new tune written after the release of the band's debut BLUE RIBBON BUZZ. Destined to be the center-piece of the band's sophmore effort, Riverboat Captain's tightly-wound phrasing and stunning poetic imagery demonstrated that Schoenfelder has the potential to write material strong enough to hold up against anything written by either Clark's or Van Zandt's pen." -Maverick Magazine
|
|
|
Americana UK's Review - '9 out of 10'
Saddle up for the debut release from this Colorado based band. Boulder’s Buckskin Stallion possesses a sound that is firmly steeped in the traditions of old time American roots music, or as Troy Schoenfelder of the band would put it, ‘rousing ruralism’. So far, so good but of course there are hundreds of bands across the states and indeed Britain who operate this kind of game plan. The truly astonishing fact is that for the first seven tracks of this album, ‘Blue Ribbon Buzz’ is up there with the best debut albums I have ever heard, even if the sound that the band makes is by no means ground breaking or even particularly original. The secret is that Buckskin Stallion is one of those rare bands where the sum of the parts adds up to something very special. From ‘Christ on a Crutch’ through to ‘Pretty Peggy-O’ everything about this record from arrangements and lyrics to vocal delivery and production suggests pure class. Like all the best country music, there is plenty of knowing pathos, often delivered with a good dose of tongue in cheek humour. Many different musical styles are attempted too from alt-country pop (‘Christ on a Crutch’) through trad folk (‘Jack of Diamonds’) to bluegrass (‘Home in the Pines’)... With a bit of luck, this band has not peaked too early and there are plenty more great songs to come from them yet. Rousing ruralism indeed! Review by Dan Wilkinson
|
|
|
Maverick Magazine - 4 Stars
How do you categorise this great music? Well, it's a mix of styles, definitely won't make mainstream country radio, probably you could put it under Americana. I will say that it is one of the most inspired records I have heard this year. This eclectic four-piece are from Boulder, Colorado and take the listener on an exciting mountain-flavoured ride through bluegrass, hillbilly, country-rock and plain, good old down-home country music. Apart from the traditional 'Jack of Diamonds' and 'Pretty Peggy-O', all songs are penned by lead singer Troy Schoenfelder, who possesses a no-frills, emotion-laden country voice ideally suited to sensitive ballads (Mama Does Her Best) and uptempo tunes...
There's some great country music on offer here, especially 'Aces Backed By 8's', with wonderful interplay between fiddle, piano and resophonic guitar and the well-written 'Writing on the Wall', the kind of classic country weeper ol Buck or Hank would have been pleased to have penned. The jaunty 'W.W.W.D.' has a free-wheeling Doug Sahm feel...
Definitely an album well worth seeking out. If not stocked by your local record store, try www.bigbender.net. You'll not be disappointed. - Alan Cackett Editor Maverick Magazine
|
|
|
|
|
'Bargain CD of the Week' - July 22, 2004 - Santa Monica Mirror
'Christ on a Crutch,' the opening track on Buckskin Stallion's Blue Ribbon Buzz, has the irreverent spirit of The Bobby Fuller Four's classic 'I Fought The Law.' These Colorado-based boys play roots rock shellacked with a traditional finish. 'W.W.W.D.' is an upbeat shout-out to one of their influences: the letters stand for What Would Woody Do. (That's Guthrie, not Allen) -Tony Peyser
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________________
”Kinda have to give this four flowers [stars], a country-rock band that takes its name from a Townes Van Zandt song, is based in Boulder, CO, microbrew world capital, but references Pabst in its album title, and kicks off with an accordion, I'm only a minute into it and already what's not to like? To a large extent, this is really singer and songwriter Troy Schoenfelder's album... Front Range guest muscians, including guitarist Greg Schochet and pedal steel guitarist Bret Billings of Halden Woffard and the Hi*Beams... Schochet, who also produced, marshals the troops to great effect... with the infectious roots rocking of the originals. Incidentally, the album was mixed by James Tuttle, a name once routine on Austins album credits, now doing bidness in Boulder.“ May 2004 - 3rd Coast Music
__________________________________________________
 5 Star review
“This band has it going on. Buckskin Stallion release an album that will blaze a new trail through this herd of roots country that is crossing the country today. This is roots country that belongs only to Buckskin Stallion. Their own style and a style that kicks ass. This is simply a great album to listen to.” April 2004 - Roots Music Report
__________________________________________________
“Taking Americana and y'allternative to fresh heights, Front Range-bred Buckskin Stallion blends a sweet mash of twanging lap steel, accordion, fiddle, acoustic bass and sundry other organic sounds into a first outing as smooth as barley soda. Steered by tunesmith Troy Schoenfelder, a tranplant from the farm country of South Dakota, Stallion keeps the buzz earthy and friendly with a strong collection of ditties that burble as pleasantly as a mountain creek, and a couple of well-chosen traditional nuggets. And the disc prominently features guest spots by local roots standouts like Sally Van Meter, Christian Teele, Vince Herman and Danny Shafer. Ultimately, Blue Ribbon Buzz grips your attention like a half-clad hillbilly in an inner tube.“ April 2004 - Nick Hutchinson - Westword
__________________________________________________
Buckskin Stallion is based in Boulder, Colorado and is fronted by South Dakota transplant Troy Schoenfelder, who also serves as the band's vocalist and songwriter. Buckskin Stallion is rounded out by members Lee Johnson (steel, Telecaster), Andy Sweetser (drums), James Young (bass) and the band's newest member Joe Jogerst (formerly of Leftover Salmon) on accordion and keyboards (although Eric Moon handled those duties on the album). Troy describes their sound as 'heartland honky tonk' and 'mountain-friendly country-rock' mixed with alt-country and bluegrass, creating a fresh form of roots-country Americana. Their influences range from Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan to Merle and Waylon to Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and The Jayhawks.
Blue Ribbon Buzz is Buckskin Stallion's debut album. Joining the band is an all-star guest list of local Colorado based music dignitaries that include Hit and Run Bluegrass, Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Danny Shafer, Rebecca Hoggan and Greg Schochet (who also served as producer) from the All Night Honky-Tonk All Stars. Troy wrote 11 of the disc's 13 tracks.
Blue Ribbon Buzz opens with the bouncy and infectiously catchy accordion driven "Christ On A Crutch" with it's home-spun philosophy. The title track, "Blue Ribbon Buzz" is a rootsy honky tonker about losing a girl with a wandering eye to the band's steel player. "Writing On The Wall" is a waltzing, steel drenched barroom weeper while "P.I. Jubilee" is a breezy two-stepper. There's a bit of a Western flavor in the honky tonk edged roots-rocker "Aces Backed By 8's" as well as in their excellent, dark and menacing cover of the traditional, "Jack Of Diamonds." They deliver a terrific rendition of another traditional, the poignant "Pretty Peggy-O" which they give a fine country-folk treatment and the flourishes of accordion add a nice touch. Hit And Run join them for some straight up bluegrass on the well done "Home In The Pines." With an incredibly catchy melody, "New Town" is a country-roots-rocker about regret, while the clever "Won't Hurt Me" starts as an acoustic country-folk ballad before morphing mid-song into a strong country-roots-rocker. "W.W.W.D." (What Would Woody Do) is a slightly ragged uptempo country-folk ode to Woody Guthrie that has Vince Herman pulling down vocal duet duties. "Mama Does Her Best" appears to be autobiographical, and is a lovely storytelling ballad. Blue Ribbon Buzz closes out with a quietly aching acoustic folk ballad, "She Gone."
Troy Schoenfelder has a pleasant and inviting voice and definitely has an ear for a catchy melody and a well written lyric. He's done an admirable job of channelling his influences in a way that you can't pick out any single one in any given song, and the blending makes Buckskin Stallion's brand of Americana indeed sound fresh and sets them apart from the pack. Surrounded by a group of top notch musicians that make up Buckskin Stallion, the songs shine and Blue Ribbon Buzz is a strong, solid debut. Says Troy, "Industrial beer and working-class roots music are two of America's time-honored treasures. Blue Ribbon Buzz is an ode to both of them. Contemporary country belongs to the hour, Americana is for the ages." April 2004 - AnnMarie Harrington - TakeCountryBack
__________________________________________________
”Somewhere between 'O Brother Where Art Thou' and Uncle Tupelo... the recording is top notch and the songs are well written... Schoenfelder has a great voice.” April 2004 - 1340 Mag
__________________________________________________
“Their alternative country/americana music is filled with energy and enthusiasm... Their music has a beat that makes you want to get out of your seat, and grab your partner... the last track, She Gone, lets you once again appreciate Troy’s genuine voice and writing talent as he goes solo acoustic with lyrics that sink your soul.” April 2004 - Higher Listening
__________________________________________________
“Local alt-country outfit Buckskin Stallion has been playing around these parts for a few years now, building an audience and fine-tuning a collection of authentic-sounding roots rock tunes that recall everyone from Whiskeytown and Wilco to Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie.
The band's not-so-secret weapon is the powerful voice of leader and songwriter Troy Schoenfelder and he's in fine form on the bands debut CD, whether roaring out a rocker like “New Town,” laying back for a folkier number like the traditional “Pretty Peggy-O” or crying in his beer on a honky-tonker like “Writing on the Wall,” featuring some great pedal steel guitar from Bret Billings.” February 2004 - Greg Glasgow - Daily Camera
__________________________________________________ |
|
|
Buckskin Stallion Catches A Red, White & Blue Ribbon Buzz
Newton's Third Law states that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." With that thought in mind it's no wonder that Buckskin Stallion has emerged from the Boulder hills as the antithesis of the jamband scene.
Buckskin Stallion is alt-country, what the pop stuff pretends to be, and the twain shall never meet.
Buckskin Stallion's leader, Troy Schoenfelder, told The Marquee in a recent interview that the not-so-secret secret to the band's success is writing songs the way they used to be written "from the heart. If you write it the way you feel it, chances are someone else is going to be there too," he said.
To him, the beauty of writing tunes is striking a chord in his audience. Schoenfelder, who grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota, feels he has tapped into a down-home sound which people can relate to.
Buckskin Stallion released its first album last month, 'Blue Ribbon Buzz,' a collection of mountain alt-country music with a moniker that nods its head to the beer that won a blue ribbon in 1878, Pabst.
'Blue Ribbon Buzz' has an honest and pure feel. Eleven of the 13 tracks are written by Schoenfelder, backed by a number of Front Range staples, such as guitarists Lee Johnson and Greg Schochet, Hit and Run Bluegrass and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, who joins Schoenfelder on the probing song, "W.W.W.D. (What Would Woody Do?)."
Marty Jones wrote in the liner notes: "When your debut is branded 'Blue Ribbon Buzz,' it had better live up to its title. Buckskin Stallion's first recording does just that, by delivering an All-American, working-class kick of the highest grade."
The tunes on 'Blue Ribbon Buzz' are catchy, yet non-invasive - apropos for driving, drinking, listening intently, and just about anything else.
...Schoenfelder comes from a musical family. "My mom's great with words, and that's where I got it," Schoenfelder said of his accordion playing poet-mother. His two sisters play piano and his dad had a great singing voice. In college Schoenfelder started to write music and he bought a four-track on which he cultivated his tunes.
With a truck driver for a father, Schoenfelder spent many summers riding shotgun across America. At that time his musical diet mainly consisted of rock and roll and folk artists such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. On one trucking trip in college his dad shared the magnitude that the country genre held for him by saying, "What Bob Dylan is to you, Merle Haggard is to me."
Schoenfelder went back to Minneapolis, where he was studying history and anthropology at the University of Minnesota, and started listening to Haggard. Through that musical journey he was exposed to other artists like Uncle Tupelo, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash - a time that he referred to as a defining moment...
- The Marquee Magazine |
|
|
|
|