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General Info Members:Chris Wood (Bass), Oliver Wood (Guitar, lead vocals), Jano Rix (multi-instrumentalist, percussion) Biography: Chris and Oliver Wood are brothers who grew up together surrounded by americana/roots music but went down different paths early in their careers. Around 2005, after playing together at a show in NC, they decided to try and work on recorded material together and formed the duo which recorded their early albums. Chris Wood, known from the group MMW (Medeski, Martin, and Wood) had been a familiar face with music festival fans for a while bu now he would have two different groups that would go on the touring circuit. The band has recorded a number of albums and have stepped up their live show in the past few years. Major Discography:
For full details (tracklist, purchase info) you can view the music page on The Wood Brothers official site.
Studio LPs
Specialty albums (2 live albums, 1 covers collection)
Sounds Like Genre: Folk, Americana, Roots, Blues Similar Artists: Anyone who plays acoustic guitar and standup bass. Some Old Crow, Some Devil Makes Three, etc. Similar Bonnaroo Artists: Devil Makes Three, Avett brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Yonder Mountain String Band
Suggested Listening I'd highly recommend the first album Ways Not to Lose as an introduction to them. Then check out The Muse, their newest album to familiarize yourself with new songs they're playing on tour. Can't go wrong with start to finish on all their work though.
Physical Reaction/Live Show When I first saw them it was a relatively laid back/chill show with Oliver playing while sitting down and Chris doing standup bass work next to him. The recent show I just caught them on their 2014 tour a few weeks ago and the show has evolved a lot and features some stage design and a lot more dancing and instrument changing. Definitely a fun time to be had. I believe they are playing on Sunday (could be wrong...not sure) so they should probably get a tent bumping in and people moving.
Interesting Facts - Side-project for Medeski Martin and Wood band member Chris Wood. - Their first two albums were produced by John Medeski. Their third and fourth albums were executive produced by Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band. - Their 2008 Bonnaroo set can be purchased on iTunes and LiveDownloads
Personal Notes This band holds a special spot for me. They were literally the first band my friends and I saw at Bonnaroo in my second year (which I consider my first "real" year since I knew what Roo was and wouldn't allow myself to miss so much awesome music like I did in 2005 by staying at camp for a lot of the day). We really loved their show even though it was just the two brothers calmly playing tunes together. I can't remember how many people were around but it still feels like an intimate show in my memory and I like that. It was an early Thursday show and it seems that nobody took any video and put it up on youtube from the set. All I could find was this photo:
The photo comes from a review on Jambase.com which I'll post below:
Later on Thursday night, the Wood Brothers happily took the stage when it was "dark, cool and smoky." The pairing of the MMW bassist, Chris Wood, and his singing, guitar- playing sibling, Oliver, is quiet dynamite – a natural progression from the sound Chris Whitley and Michael Hedges pioneered, full of blues spirit and thumping rhythms. Oliver has a brightly wistful voice that recalls '70s radio kings like Gerry Rafferty. Neither Hedges nor Whitley ever had a sympathetic bassist like Chris, who plucked with thunderous authority. It's a pleasure to hear him so nakedly exposed, simmering with Oliver's strings in a way muffled by Medeski's keyboards and Martin's drums. They opened with an alluring cover of Gus Cannon's early blues classic "Stealin'." Drawing largely from studio debut Ways Not to Lose, the Brothers kept the energy high and showcased some serious songwriting chops on top of their obvious technical skill, especially "One More Day," a worthy candidate for song of the summer.
The show was definitely a winner for me and my friends. When the band came around our town and played a small theater I went with a buddy and we got great seats for another awesome set. I've seen them a handful of times since then (including 2008 Bonnaroo) and they always put on a great show. Don't sleep on these guys. There may be a conflict but if not....check them out. Highly recommend them. Favorite songs include Luckiest Man, Postcards from Hell, Neon Tombstone.
