Tim Posgate Horn Band Featuring Howard Johnson Tim Posgate Horn Band Featuring Howard Johnson
Published Jul 01, 2005
The debut full-length recording of Tim Posgates Horn Band explores the many possibilities of a three-horn, one-guitar combo in concise but wide-ranging sketches. The rhythms of most songs are comprised of Posgates strumming or percussive picking along with guest tuba player Howard Johnsons bass bounce. Posgates writing makes sure that each member of the band plays many roles throughout the disc. The opener, "Hale Bopp, starts with Posgates greasy guitar; this could be a Mexican ranchero tune were it not for the breakdown in the middle. "Quartier St. Roche features a guitar line out of the Gordon Lightfoot songbook and Quinsin Nachoffs pretty clarinet. "Martin Martin Martin is practically a tailgate rhythm, and "F As in Fun could be the Horn Band version of reggae with a great bass groove
and a banjo. Inevitably, sometimes there seems no need for a guitar among the horns; generally, when the guitar tone neither fiercely contrasts nor compliments the rest of the instruments, it sounds apart from the main action. Elsewhere though, Posgates instrument plays well with a staccato saxophone or flute. His lower range strumming also works well with tuba, or with Lina Allemanos round trumpet tones. Best of all, this disc has the unforced feeling of a bunch of friends getting together to jam. Posgates enthusiasm for country and folk music makes sure that the horn band never descends into high-concept pretension.
(Guildwood)