JOHN & MARY & THE VALKYRIES: Peace Bridge

John & Mary & the Valkyries

Peace Bridge

© 2007 Theme Park Music (692863128221)

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Immaculate folk-pop songs with music and lyrics that weave a magic spell.

notes

John Lombardo was a founding member of 10,000 Maniacs who wrote or co-wrote with Natalie Merchant the first two indie albums that got them signed to Elektra Records. Leaving the band on the cusp of national success John teamed up with the classically trained violinist Mary Ramsey who also possessed an amazing voice.

They signed with Rykodisc in 1990 and recorded Victory Gardens and The Weedkillers Daughter with Rob Buck and Jerome Augustyniak of 10,000 Maniacs. John & Mary spent much of 1990 on tour opening for the Maniacs. John would join the band on some of their earlier material, and Mary would lend her viola and backing vocals to a few songs in the set.

When Natalie Merchant left 10,000 Maniacs, John rejoined the band, bringing Mary with him to handle the lead vocal role. The revamped Maniacs went on to record two albums, Love Among the Ruins and The Earth Pressed Flat.

Sadly, Maniacs lead guitarist Rob Buck passed away in 2000, leading to the end of the John & Mary era with 10,000 Maniacs. The duo recorded and released the independent Pinwheel Galaxy in 2001.

The folk duo John & Mary has always had a bit of a dichotomy- hauntingly pristine live performances combined with full-blown band instrumentation on their recorded work. Those albums included some of the worlds most enigmatic musicians, including Alex Chilton, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Joey Molland, Augie Meyers and the late great Ronnie Lane.

Now John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey have augmented their new group, The Valkyries, with some of Buffalo's most interesting musicians. The collective includes Patrick Kane (The Stains, Paisley Tease, The Uncalled For), Rob Lynch (Rex Hobart, Doug Yeomans Ban, Plaster Sandals), Kent Weber (The Fems, Electroman, David Kane Quartet), Joe Rozler (Man'O'War, Sid Winkler Trio, Outer Circle Orchestra), and Nelson Starr (The Tails, The Eric Starr Band, The Jeff Martin Band).

reviews

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  • Peace Bridge
    author: Mark Stevens

    I think John & Mary are probably the most underrated group of all time. Enough said.

  • Another Incredible CD
    author: Carlos Zeisel

    This new project led by John and Mary is great combining elements that made the 10000 Maniacs successful, and going in new directions musically.

  • Beautiful
    author: MJC

    A new John & Mary project is such a rare and welcome event. "Peace Bridge" is better than "Pinwheel Galaxy" and right up there with the first two J&M albums and, as the above reviewer mentions, "The Earth Pressed Flat." Ramsey's viola and voice are still sweet and pure, and Lombardo has the kind of scruffy voice that endears. The original songs have that melodic beauty and lyrical weirdness that characterize the best J&M songs, and the cover tunes are unexpected and well chosen. I wish John & Mary could being out an album every year, but I'll make do with these occasional, out-of-nowhere masterpieces.

  • Finally!
    author: Greg Wong

    It seems like forever since "The Pinwheel Galaxy" was released but I'm now good to go for a while with "Peace Bridge"! This is another excellent recording from John & Mary and well worth the wait. I'd recommend it to any J&M or 10,000 Maniacs fans. Peace Bridge seems to be more of a continuation of the style started in "The Earth Pressed Flat". I you like Mary's vocals mixed in with her viola playing, you're sure to appreciate Peace Bridge. And unlike Natalie, Mary actually lets John sing some :-) Though it's hard to pick a favorite on this album, "Johnny and Mary" is a good example of a song you can play loud on the stereo to experience the best from this band. Go out and buy this CD - You will not be disappointed!

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