About the Band

DAVID KRAAI & THE SADDLE TRAMPS

Rambling across America from the country greeness of the Hudson Valley to sunny California and the dusty roads of Texas, DAVID KRAAI penned many country folk originals along the way. Upon returning to NY, he became a notable in the local folk scene and has often appeared at places as diverse as the Oasis Cafe in New Paltz and the legendary CBGB's. Most recently, DAVID assembled THE SADDLE TRAMPS from some of the Hudson Valley's finest musicians and has spent much of recent history playing out and recording with them. On any given weekend DAVID KRAAI & THE SADDLE TRAMPS can be seen at local upstate venues like Snug Harbor as well as at summertime festivals like the Rosendale Street Fair.

Members:

David Kraai - Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Banjo, Mandolin, Dulcimer
Marty J. Hodulick - Pedal Steel Guitar
Sean Powell - Electric Guitar
Chris Ragucci - Drums
Jon Stern - Bass

Links:

DAVID KRAAI & THE SADDLE TRAMPS' Myspace
DAVID KRAAI & THE SADDLE TRAMPS' Website

USA CDs

DAVID KRAAI & THE SADDLE TRAMPS
high & lonesome

Audio CD/ US005 $11.99

TRACK LIST:

  1. The Girl Without Country - LISTEN
  2. How Do - LISTEN
  3. Rings Cannot Hold Them In
  4. Had Been
  5. You Can't Trust - LISTEN
  6. Dead Again
  7. Givingthanks Song
  8. Leading Ladies & Final Bows - LISTEN
  9. Cornflower - LISTEN
  10. Tin Roof Star
  11. Angels In Her Eyes, Devil In Her Grin - LISTEN

PACIFICTION REVIEW:

Songs for rambling, dancing, loving and just breathin' the fresh country air, high & lonesome is one of the finer albums to spring up out of the independent country and contemporary folk scene these days. David Kraai's crafty songwriting and deft acoustic acoustic playing, alongside his array of traditional instrumentation (which includes harmonica, mandolin and banjo), envelope the gossamer sounds of the pedal steel, electric guitar hooks and classic rhythms provided by the Saddle Tramps. "Girl Without Country" opens the album with bright harmonica, subtle banjo, mando picking and a sweet chorus to make a lyrical ballad celebrating American roots roots music. The pedal steel intro that melds into electric guitar on "How do&qout; gives the song a country rock vibe with memorable lyrics making it a David Kraai standard. The introspective "Rings Cannot Hold Them In" makes use of delicate acoustic stylings and bongo rhythms. In a duet with Kraai, Alexandra Jornov supplies impassioned vocals on "You Can't Trust." Best summing up the album's title is "Dead Again" with its lonely sound guitar and whining steel accompaniment. "Leading Ladies & Final Bows" opens with a wild west feel in minor tones and muses on the truths and certainties in this world. "Angels In Her Eyes, Devil In Her Grin" finishes the album with an uppity alt-country tale about rambiln' and learning a lesson in love.

Songs for cowboys on the trail, city folk in coffee shops, bikers of the highways; anyone willing to rediscover the back roads of American music through songs of celebration and tales of wandering - high & lonesome awaits you!