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Critical Reviews:
"Here is something unique. Cera has been making music for quite some time. She’s been out on her own with solo material and also in various bands. She’s accumulated a taste for an eclectic sounding mix of country, bluegrass and folk music. The resulting sound is entirely her own and something fans of roots music should fall in love with. You want to listen,...it's cool. I love it" for a full review of the entire album track by track: http://countrymusiclife.com/cera-impala-higher-place-album/ Dayne Shuda
Country Life Magazine Jan 2012 "Impala drives every song with some fine banjo playing while the fiddle and bass accompaniment are equally accomplished. The tunes are catchy and it’s all undoubtedly good fun." Jeremy Searie Maverick Magazine Oct. 2011 NPR Berlin August 2011: http://www.npr.org/blogs/nprberlinblog/2011/08/04/138820911/month-music-tip-cera-impala-and-the-new-prohibition This month I had the pleasure of listening to a new CD that just came out. It's called Higher Place by Cera Impala and the New Prohibition band. The style is within folk- bluegrass, country with some nice retro flavors. The album is banjo based, which I thought was really refreshing. Listen to the Song "Sweet Sue". <iframe width="300" height="169" src="http://www.npr.org/player/embeddable/video/player.html?i=138820911&m=138896862" frameborder="0"></iframe> "Foggy Window" was probably my favorite up tempo tune. Then there was another song I was fond of- "Row My Boat." The tempo is different, it's on the slower side and it's more theatrical. I had the chance to speak to Impala and here is what she had to say about her music: "It has a lot of eclectic elements but basically its inspired by American folk music but it has a real edge to it. We have one song written by Dirk, "Foggy Window," which is an ode to his automobile in the states that used to break down a lot. Then we have three traditional songs and the rest of the songs are written by me. They're all different and they're all my little babies. I'm definitely a happy part of the women's banjo movement. I'm an advocate of taking an instrument and playing it how you feel." NPR Berlin August 2011 Cera Impala & the New Prohibition "Higher Place" Anouscka Pearlman If you were to visit Berlin, Germany, you would have no trouble finding good acoustic music. From the old time Killbilly Boys to the innovative New Prohibition band, your pallet will have a lot to chose from. Originally based out of Olympia, WA, the trio moved to Europe in hopes of reaching the growing number of acoustic fans there. From the looks of it they are doing a mighty fine job of it. The group has released their second album entitled “Higher Place“. The haunting voice of Cera Impala drives the unique sound of this invigorating group throughout the project as well as her saucy songwriting. The group is rounded out well with Dirk Ronneburg taking on the fiddle and Jovanka von Wilsdorf on contrabass. There is also an electro-coustic instrumentalist in most tracks we imagine is KILL BAMBI who is rocking this duet with Cera Impala. The project is a clever blend of old time, jazz, and bluegrass with a healthy amount of dynamic jamming. There is a surprising amount of energy in their playing. They do a great job of drawing the listener in with catchy melodies and keeping them interested with their good lyrics. “Higher Place” is sure to satisfy your crave for “something different” and enjoyable. Acousticana Journal May 15th 2011 THE NEW PROHIBITION “HIGHER PLACE”; http://acousticana.us/new-prohibition/ EAST BANK RADIO, April 2, 2008 THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND: BUSTED (2007) The New Prohibition Band, based in Berlin, Germany, plays old time string band music with a flair that indicates a sincerity and dedication to the genre. Mixing originals with traditional standards, they’ve made a splash with the 2007 release of "Busted" on Nana Nana Boo Boo Records. The band consists of Cera Impala, Dirk Ronneburg and Phil Post. While each member is apparently an accomplished artist in their own right, the trio blends their skills to produce a winning product. If there is any question about their approach to their craft, refer to the album cover. It proudly proclaims that “This CD is 100% Guitar Free”. What the band does bring instrumentally is a banjo, fiddle and upright bass. Despite their relatively small numbers on this project, they give us plenty of bang for the buck. The album kick offs with a traditional number, “Remember What You Told Me”, setting things off with an uptempo instrumental. In fact, their treatment of traditional songs on this disc is one of their strong points. Their unique version of “Wayfaring Stranger” is a standout track and “Angeline the Baker” is a worthwhile footstomper. When it comes to originals, Impala provides most of the writing talent. She contributes six songs to the project. Ronneburg provides the only other original tune on the album, as well as penning lyrics to the traditional “Angeline the Baker”. Stylistically, The New Prohibition Band doesn’t miss a step between their originals and their covers. There is a continuity between all of the songs to the point where you may not be sure whether they wrote all of them, or whether they are all old time traditionals. Impala’s “Troubles” and Ronneburg’s “Informant 559" are, in my opinion, the strongest of the original material. That’s not to say that there are any particularly weak spots on the disc. The quality holds up well throughout the album. Overall, The New Prohibition Band delivers authentic sounding old time music, with a fresh, contemporary sensibility. If you like good ol’ fiddle driven string band music, "Busted" is a solid effort that is well worth having. EAST BANK RADIO, April 2, 2008 Nashville, TN, USA link: http://eastbankmedia.com/blog/archives/5 VICTORY REVIEW MAGAZINE, January 2008 The New Prohibition Band's new CD Busted, has something old, something new, something original and 13 tracks worth listening to. Self described as 'psychedelic old-time & haunting maladies', it's an apt description for this band's brand of bootleg bluegrass that delivers its songs with chilling effectiveness. They do it with Cera Impala on banjo and vocals, Dirk Ronneburg on fiddle and vocals and Phil Post on upright bass. The CD begins with the traditional foot stomping instrumental, "Remember What You Told Me," and includes excellent versions of other well known traditionals "Shady Grove," "Wayfaring Stranger", "Angeline the Baker", "Say darling Say," and "Valley Forge." Impala and Ronneburg have worked out some beautiful harmonies. Their version of "Shady Grove," is a good example. Ronneburg has written lyrics to "Angeline the Baker." Turns out Angeline has been growing something illegal on the back forty. He also wrote "Informant 559," a dance tune about a guy who spills the beans on his friends when he gets caught growing the same thing as Angeline. The other six songs on Busted were written by Impala. She's got some real good ones too, but "River Song," and "Jihad," are my favorites. Her voice and songs are eerie, graceful and a little odd. It's like she's living with a back woods secret she's determined to keep. It's too bad the CD doesn't come with a lyric sheet. If it did I'd be reading the lyrics to "Jihad," very carefully. The middle- eastern melody and Impala's vocals are tragically beautiful, but I can't make out all the words. The New Prohibition Band was Olympia based but they've relocated to Berlin, Germany...So, if you find yourself in Berlin, go and see The New Prohibition Band. They are scheduled to play at venues all around the city. Otherwise you'll just have to listen to Busted or check them out at www.thenewprohibitionband.com. Hats off to The New Prohibition Band and Busted. (Heidi Fosner) VICTORY REVIEW MAGAZINE, January 2008, Seattle, WA, USA THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND: BUSTED (2007) BLUEGRASS BÜHNE (Aug/Sept 2008) THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND: BUSTED (2007) "Die bekannten Stücke werden...klassisch gespielt mit viel Geige und Clawhammer Banjo. ...Die eigenen werden aber ganz eigen interpretiert in einem individuellen Neo Old Time Style, den Crooked Jades oder Jenny & the Pinetops...vergleichbar, die ebenfalls ihre eigenen Ausdrucksweisen gesucht haben. Das klingt gern etwas schräg und verstiegen, Cera's Gesang ist ätherisch und geheimnisvoll, verleiht der CD ihren eigenen Reiz, die Instrumente werden artgerecht und sachkundig gespielt. Also eine wohlgelungene Produktion" (Eberhard Finke) COUNTRYMUSIC24, May 2008, Berlin: THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND: BUSTED (2007) Die CD "ist sowohl musikalisch als auch gesanglich perfekt. Auch die Flexibilität der Songauswahl und die Qualität dieser CD ist einfach perfekt." COUNTRYMUSIC24 WESTERN MAIL, April 2008, Berlin THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND: LIVE at the COUNTRY MUSIC MESSE BERLIN 2008: Auf der CMM in Berlin ist uns eine Band, von der wir eigentlich noch nichts gehört hatten, positiv aufgefallen. Sonntag Mittag im Bluebird Cafe spielte "THE NEW PROHIBITION BAND." Wir fühlten uns unvermittelt in eine Scheune im mittleren Westen der USA versetzt. Denn das was wir hier sahen und hörten, kann man erleben, wenn man am Samstagabend in eine örtliche Party auf dem Land, oder in einem Honky Tonk am Rande einer City, gerät....Old-Time-Country vom Allerfeinsten. ...Es dominieren die Fiddle, das Banjo, und der gezupfte Bass mit den harmonischen Stimmen. Kein Wunder, daß die Zuhörer total begeistert waren und 'voll mitgingen'. Hier hätten noch Square-Dancer ihre helle Freude gehabt.... Auf ihrer CD "BUSTED" von 2007 agieren Cera Impala, Dirk Ronneburg, und Phil Post "100% Guitar Free." Sie zelebrieren darauf 13 starke Songs und wer ein Fan von Old- Time- Country ist, der is damit sehr gut bedient. ...Uns haben sie sehr gut gefallen. (Peter und Uschi) |
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