After Color In Bloom, I had to try this out. It was released in the late fall of 2003, and was taken from a live performance in New Hampshire last year. There are a few cuts from Bloom, but there are a few new songs here, such as "Shining On Creation". This song may sound like a religious tune upon first listen, however, I believe that it is simply an ode to creation in and of itself. The songs here are all enhanced by a backing horn section as well as background singers. One of whom, Anastasia Rene, can belt it out with the best of them. She really lets it loose on "Skyline". "Can I get you to rock with me now?" she says before the tune, and that's exactly what she does. Since this is a live recording, you can hear the band and the crowd having a great time, and it shows in the music and the quality of the band's playing. Guitarist, Joe Farrell's songwriting and singing gets some spotlight here with "Shining On Creation", "After All', and "313". Drummer Aaron Katz does most of the vocal duties here, and Nate Wilson's keyboard expertise is once again on full display. This is a fun band to listen to. Give them a try!

	Color In Bloom
	Released 1998
	Track listing: 1) Slave (Self Promoted); 2) Chrissy Reid; 3) Beneath The Cover; 4) Ammonium Maze; 5) 313; 6) Color In Bloom; 7) Fallen; 8) Soggy Weather Skunk; 9) Sun Machine
reviewer: Jarrett Overall Rating:13 Record Rating: 10 Band Rating: 3
This is an interesting band that I kind of came across not too long ago. I've heard of them years ago, since they are from Vermont and friends of Strangefolk. The bassist, John Leccese, and keyboardist, Nate Wilson, moonlight in the Assembly of Dust, Reid Genauer's, formerly of Strangefolk, new band. They have a bit of a different sound than Strangefolk. Their sound is a smooth, R&B/rock type sound. If you crossed Stevie Wonder with The Police, then threw in a dash of Strangefolk, you would have Percy Hill. The drummer/vocalist Aaron Katz is a great songwriter and has a surprisingly soulful voice. The opening track, "Slave (Self Promoted)", has a bit of a disco feel to it, although not cheesy disco, thankfully. It makes you want to get up and shake your ass around the room. One thing you'll notice about this band is that Nate Wilson likes his spacey keyboards. It may take a while to get used to at first, but you eventually get used to it, then it grows on you. Wilson is a hidden gem in this band. He can subltly play in the background, or break loose with an amazing solo. Switching to the second track, Chrissy Reid, goes away from the disco-ish feel of the first track, but it's one of my favorite cuts on the disc. All the way through, this album is a good companion for a mellow night or if you have company :) Closing the disc is "Sun Machine", a song that builds to this funky ending that makes you wish that there will still a few more tracks to go. This disc has become legendary in the jamband community, one listen and you'll figure out why. Good, good stuff!!

	Live
	Released 2003
	Track listing: Disc 1: 1) Shining On Creation; 2) Ammonium Maze; 3) Beneath The Covor; 4) Make Believe; 5) Color In Bloom; 6) Sun Machine; Disc 2: 1) The Now; 2) After All; 3) Lap Of Luxury; 4) 313; 5) Brings You Back Again; 6) Wrong Side; 7) Skyline; 9) Chrissy Reid
reviewer: Jarrett Overall Rating: 11 Record Rating: 8 Band Rating: 3
After Color In Bloom, I had to try this out. It was released in the late fall of 2003, and was taken from a live performance in New Hampshire last year. There are a few cuts from Bloom, but there are a few new songs here, such as "Shining On Creation". This song may sound like a religious tune upon first listen, however, I believe that it is simply an ode to creation in and of itself. The songs here are all enhanced by a backing horn section as well as background singers. One of whom, Anastasia Rene, can belt it out with the best of them. She really lets it loose on "Skyline". "Can I get you to rock with me now?" she says before the tune, and that's exactly what she does. Since this is a live recording, you can hear the band and the crowd having a great time, and it shows in the music and the quality of the band's playing. Guitarist, Joe Farrell's songwriting and singing gets some spotlight here with "Shining On Creation", "After All', and "313". Drummer Aaron Katz does most of the vocal duties here, and Nate Wilson's keyboard expertise is once again on full display. This is a fun band to listen to. Give them a try!

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Percy Hill