Mission Mountain Wood Band | Reboot
Published: August 7, 2011
By Mariss McTucker
The title of M2WB’s new release, Reboot, is a clever turn of phrase on this Internet Age, kick-starting a band whose heyday was the ’70s and ’80s.
This time around, Tim Ryan (Roullier) has something to do with it. The St. Ignatius native, a successful Nashville songwriter for over 25 years, brings a youthful verve to the songs, the majority of which he wrote with sundry Music City pals. His presence seems to energize the other fellows, whose careers have veered into different musical pursuits since the band’s glory days.
After raising families, original members Rob Quist, Christian Johnson, Steve Riddle and Greg Reichenberg decided it was time to make music together again. After the death of founding member and guitarist Terry Robinson in a plane crash in 1987, they tried out various artists, but came to the conclusion that if, and when, he was available, Ryan would make a good fit.
He has, and the fellows are in fine form here on their first in-studio recording in 30 years. The band straddles the many moods of country music on these 11 originals, along the way giving us dazzlingly smooth production values and pretty darn good musicianship.
Ryan had a hand in writing all but two of the tunes – Quist’s ballad-like finger-snapper, “Old Steel Bridge,” and the jazzy, shuffly “Amigo,” written by Kostas – another Montana boy who has made good in Nashville. Bass player Riddle vocalizes, and multi-picker Johnson tiptoes smoothly on guitar here.
Cool and loping banjo opens the first cut, “Blue Bird Day,” with Ryan vocalizing; “Sunny Side Up” has lead singing and silky steel from Quist and cookin’, tropical rhythm from drummer Reichenberg. Make that a piña colada, por favor!
The banjo burner “Hit the Road” comes next; it’s a hybrid Chuck-Berry bluegrasser that rips it up. Ryan sings us a story about the iconic Missoula hangout in “Stockman’s Bar.” Talk about ambience!
“Heartache” smells like a hit. It’s great country blues that starts with a cool guitar riff and features wailin’ flat notes from Ryan on vocals, and terrific instrumental work throughout. Paging Ricky Skaggs! That high, lonesome sound in the harmonies is alive and well, too.
The finale, “Days of Gold,” has a jazzy, spooky guitar riff; it’s fun to dance to in a jam-band sort of way. The tune is Eagles-esque at times, and the boys channel the Allman Brothers here, as well. It has several tempo changes, and hearkens back to the days when M2WB didn’t care about being “radio-ready” – they just wanted to stretch out in live performance.
Powerful harmonies, as of old, tight pickin’ and singin’, clever hooks, and a lot of variety make this one a winner. Overall, M2WB fans will love the CD, and it’s apt to gain the group new listeners, too.
Something here could creep up the charts. Watch for them touring in your neck of the woods soon.
Visit the group at www.missionmountainwoodband.com.
Coming soon to a stage near you
M2WB shares songs from their new CD, Reboot, in:
• Missoula: at album release parties, Aug. 12 at Rockin’ Rudy’s and The Stockman’s Bar; and Aug. 13, with Wylie and the Wild West, during the Western Montana Fair
• Philipsburg: Aug. 21, for a Rotary-sponsored concert that includes some other Montana faves: the Dillon Junior Fiddlers, Big Sky Mudflaps and Dublin Gulch
