:SEPTEMBER 23, 2005: MUSIC: ACL MUSIC FESTIVAL REVIEWS

BY JIM CALIGIURI

South Austin Jug Band

Dark and Weary World (Blue Corn)

In the time between their first album and the new Dark and Weary World, the South Austin Jug Band has been through a whirlwind. Lineup changes, nonstop roadwork, and across-the-board acclaim might affect some bands in uncomplimentary ways, but the experience has made SAJB substantially better. They're better pickers, better songwriters, and they have become thoroughly original as an ensemble. Dark and Weary World does a superb job of characterizing the upgrade, every note imbued with confidence and enthusiasm that the youthful quintet was incapable of not that long ago. While the jamming and bluegrass sides of the band have become more prominent, they still keep it chicken-fried. Original tunes like "Coonass," with its backwoods humor, and "Karma," with its sly wordplay, fit in agreeably with a good-natured rendition of Bruce Robison's "She Don't Care About Me" and a couple of unrestrained instrumentals that give an idea just how good they've become as musicians. They all contribute, but vocalist/guitarist James Hyland demonstrates the most progress as a tunesmith with his sweet and easy "Weather on the Wood" standing out. In the end, SAJB remains true to their beginnings, taking acoustic music from Texas and beyond and making it into something they can proudly call their own.

ACL Music Fest Live Shots

Saturday

BY JIM CALIGIURI

South Austin Jug Band
Zilker Park, Sept. 24

It may have been early Saturday afternoon, but there were still several hundred fans and curious onlookers assembled before the South Austin Jug Band took the stage. The young Austin quintet didn't disappoint either, with their quick pickin' and frolicsome songs. Concentrating on material from their fine new Dark and Weary World, SAJB coupled unrestrained instrumentals with hints of Celtic flavor and newgrass improvisation and humorous tunes that reflect their Texas background. They even attacked some hot jazz and Western swing with an inspired medley of "Minor Swing" and "Sweet Sue" that featured the double fiddles of Dennis Ludiker and Brian Beken. The crowd responded by twirling up dust and singing along; the songs may have been new, but to the faithful, they seemed like old favorites. Vocalist James Hyland slowed things down a bit with the new disc's title track, showing another side of the band's passion, one that was restrained yet equally moving. The set ended when they were just getting started, but it was an ample taste of what they can do, making clear that the South Austin Jug Band have achieved their potential and evolved into one of the most thoroughly entertaining ensembles on today's Texas music scene.

A band can toil for years, thrilling club crowds and preaching to the choir with every CD release, but then they'll record the magic song, the one that galvanizes the career and adds new fans by the truckload. The South Austin Jug Band has got a "Ghost" of a chance of breaking out nationally with a new tune that envelopes that man of constant phrasing, James Hyland, in a sweet snarl of fiddle and banjo, served with slices of mandolin. The new LP's "Ghost" would be the standout cut on an Uncle Tupelo album; it's that good.

There is no finer string outfit in the state. The Jug band has always had hot players, but this Marvin Dykhuis-produced album shows that, as songwriters, they're ready for the bigger stage.
— Michael Corcoran

"Splendid players with a hard-core honky-tonk singer in James Hyland, the South Austin Jug Band are that rarity -- popular with the 'Texas Uprising' curved ball cap crowd, as well as the jam band groovers. Whether their self-titled new CD gets them in big with the KASE FM crowd remains to be seen, but they're gonna party like they're on their way to the top. "

- Michael Corcoran, Austin American Statesman, Pick for Willie's 4th of July Picnic 2003

-"Experiencing a South Austin Jug Band performance, it's easy to hear that influence as they travel from their own fast paced originals to tunes from the songbooks of Bob Wills, Walter Hyatt, and Townes Van Zandt."

- Rob Patterson, Houston Press

"Their sound's been called Lone Star beatnik country. South Austin Jug Band have old-timey roots but deliver the musical goods in a contemporary, loosey-goosey style."

- Tony Peyser, Santa Monica Mirror

"...they make a kind of joyful noise that seems made of pure sunlight and moonshine."

- Stefanie Kalem, East Bay Express