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Wiser Time: Beggars and Thieves

Blues/Country/Roots Rock

Rating: 3.75/5.0

Wiser Time Music Records
www.myspace.com/wisertime
www.wiser-time.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  06.14.2010

Wiser Time was developed nearly eight years ago by New Jersey troubadour Carmen Scalfani in the small town of Millington, not far from New York City. It's hard to believe his early rock formula, blues, country, and roots rock, would find development in such an urban setting. Wiser Time's third work, Beggars and Thieves seems more suited for a rustic back porch in the foothills of North Carolina. Borrowing heavily from 60s and 70s rock, Wiser Time fuses blues piano, slide guitar, and effortless, often lazy afternoon beat, into some true American music. Often, as on Take Me Back Home and Working Man Blues, they remind me of a Grateful Dead with a greater country and blues feel. Additionally, Beggars and Thieves capitalizes on raw, stripped down, production giving it an even grittier feel. Those used to their rock a bit heavier and blistering, probably most Dangerdog readers, will have little patience for Wiser Time's laid back, bourbon savoring, easy melodic groove. But they would miss the heart of genuine grassroots American style. I'll admit it was easy for my to slip into unnoticing complacency while listening. Nevertheless, Beggars and Thieves is solid stuff from a band who understands the heart and soul of their chosen genre. Recommended.

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Beggars and Thieves is solid stuff from a band who understands the heart and soul of their chosen genre. Recommended.

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