Review of "...a Glimpse" by Bear of Paganet News (Mabon '04 issue)
"It's a family affair," takes on new meaning with regard to Revel Moon's ensemble, currently including father (John), daughter (Irene), and husband (Jay). The genre they have created, "Power Folk," might initially sound like a typo, but with today's escalating variations in music style, particularly amongst the Indie, or Independently Produced Labels, it's becoming harder to squeeze every performer or group into a particular category. The best way to define it is to hear it. Samples can be downloaded at http://www.songplanet.com/artists/bands/766/
Lead vocalist (and Penny-Whistler), Irene Jericho corresponded with me recently for this review, pending their upcoming performance at Mystic Moon's Samhain Witch's Ball (see ad on page 8).
First, RM's music, or "What on earth is Power Folk?"
Its branches stem from the experiences growth of Irene's father, John Grastorf -- whose nimble fingers have been refined by years of tickling his 12-string guitar -- is himself a second generation musician. John comes by his talent and passion for music naturally, his father having started a Dixieland Band that not only survived The Depression, but remained booked years in advance in spite of it. John's earlier inspirations drew from the turbulent folk music of the mid-twentieth century and his association with a number of recording notables of the era and their vocalized dissatisfaction with world affairs.
Having since teamed up with daughter Irene (Semper Fi!), her percussionist husband, Jason (Jay) Jericho (who in turn is occasionally accompanied by Ryan, yet another Grastorf and drummer) and BJ Robey on [bass], something more intense than simple folk music has evolved -- an alchemical mix too contemporary for folk and too soft for Pop. Ergo, "Power Folk."
Perhaps the greatest praise I can offer Revel Moon is my congratulations on their having joined a growing number of serious artists who have had their fill of major label meat grinders and the re-packaged products they spew out. RM, clearly responding to a spiritual life force that does not merely suggest, but demand they play and sing form the soul, would wither and die amongst such commercialism.
Finally, RM's ups and downs, or "Just how much can you make from selling pencils anyway?"
Few independent label artist make it big in the first few years of their emergence on the scene, and RM is still discovering itself. Band members have come and gone, yet with each resettling they have re-emerged stronger and more cohesive as if some internal compass was compelling all of them to move in a particular direction. Because their venue borrows both from the mainstream genre of Rock/Pop and Folk/Celtic, yet cannot accurately be defined as either, they are well-suited for the less structured musical formats of Pagan festivals and events. After all, Pagans are not generally noted fro being conformists and fewer still are into bubble-gum pop or other such "Welcome to the Machine" by-products whose major contributions to the musical scene seem devoted more to an evocation of sex, violence and racism than the simple enjoyment of genuine talent and thought-provoking artistry.
As a DJ/sound engineer for a number of events over the years, I've heard it all and although I can appreciate nearly every style of music on its own merit, I always have a specific weakness for performers whose voices and instruments synchronize with the collective beat of their hearts. If you listen closely enough, you can hear it too.
I am glad to introduce RM as joining the ranks of true artists and not being just another Cover-Band content to just be musicians, play to the crowd and pick up a check.
This reviewer predicts you'll be hearing a lot more of them in the future and I am personally looking forward to working with them in [October] at the Witch's Ball.
See Revel Moon's upcoming performance schedule by clicking here
