MIKE AND AMY FINDERS BAND: Where You Are

Mike and Amy Finders Band

Where You Are

© 2004 Mike Finders (829757639123)

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A refreshing brand of frontier prairie blues, this music blends the sounds of old-time country, folk and bluegrass music.

notes

With a flat-picking singer/songwriter, an ensnaring lead vocalist and the steady thump of stand-up bass, the Mike and Amy Finders Band (say finnders) dishes out a healthy, homemade helping of musical entertainment, rambling along the fences between bluegrass, blues, country and folk music. Through their own striking original songs, tributes to contemporary songwriters, and various takes on old standards, the group brings new life to old tones. A truly "unplugged" act, including guitar, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle and stand-up bass, the individuals weave stunning instrumental prowess with friendly crowd rapport, crafty lyrics and unforgettable voices.
The printed comparisons of Amy Finders' voice to Joni Mitchell, Maria Muldaur, and "Allison Kraus with power" have all fallen short of describing the mesmerizing experience of her singing. Mike is the songwriter. He weaves his barstool philosophies and folkloric stories in a humble, hang-dog tenor while picking his old Martin guitar. Throw in accompanying instruments - mandolin (Amy) and harmonica (Mike) - and the canvas is well-laid for this duo's artistry.
Their 2002 release, "Crystal Blue Morning is one of the best local releases to come out in this or any other year. It says something that you can put it in the CD changer with Gillian Welch - or even Ralph Stanley for that matter - and not have it seem out of its league," said Todd Kimm, Little Village, Iowa City. The next CD to come out, Where You Are, promises to be one of their finest works yet. It is slated for release on February 14, 2004 and contains six new Mike Finders songs & two re-releases as well as three covers. Reviews are available on the web site.
After touring for four years as a duo, Mike & Amy have settled in Iowa City (2001) and since been joined by Billy Valencia as full-time stand-up bassist. A number of "side-guys" often lend their talents to this group in the form of fiddle, Dobro or banjo. Hundreds of gigs a year have honed these "individual's unique talents into the sort of sound that enthrawls audiences far and wide, offering a whole much greater than the sum of its individual parts..." - Will Jennings of Big Wooden Radio.

reviews

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  • Bought this for my brother, but found it enjoyable myself.
    author: Darryl Wahler

    I bought this for my "hillbilly" brother who resides in the mountains of northeast Pennsylvania and who is really into bluegrass; I'm not. But a review of the group in my Iowa alumni magazine prompted me to order the CD.....and of course I played it before sending it on to him. No regrets.

  • A fine album that illustrates their musical vision for us
    author: Joe Ross

    Playing Time – 38:13 -- Immediately appealing, Amy and Mike Finders sing with a lot of soul and passion. Mike’s steady hand on guitar, his wailing harmonica, and Amy’s mandolin chops are the instrumental pistons of this band which is supplemented by Billy Valencia (bass), Dustin Busch (dobro) and Al Murphy (fiddle). Annie Savage offers harmony vocals on one galloping country cut. (“I’m Down to my Last Cigarette”) while Bob Black appears on banjo in the mix for “Take Our Time and Do It Right.” Dave Zollo (piano) and Marty Letz (pedal steel) are guests on “Back in the Band.” From Iowa City, IA., the Mike and Amy Finders Band play an Americana hybrid with bluegrass, folk, country and blues underpinnings. “Where You Are” is the band’s third release since their formation in 1997, and it exudes confidence and a personalized signature sound that will set them apart. Mike Finders’s eight originals on this project demonstrate that he is masterful storyteller. Being a resident of the Beaver State, I especially enjoyed “Oregon.” I also understand that “Adeline” was a first place bluegrass category winner in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at the Merlefest Americana Music Festival. Iowa City songwriter Dave Moore penned “Take Our Time and Do It Right.” The Finders’ sound is predictably contemporary, but it also has haunting traditional sensibilities. Mike and Amy have a vision for their music, and they have crafted a fine album that illustrates it for us. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

  • This CD was my best musical purchase of the year.
    author: Zach Brant

    Stumbled upon these guys at the Ia State Fair and loved the show. I bought Where You Are on the spot and the disc has been in constant play for months now. I can't say enough about the album. I love both Mike and Amy's voices and the instrumentals are fantastic. Original tunes well written and cleverly delivered. Buy this album.

  • Fresh as morning dew
    author: Roger James

    The songwriting is superb. The production values are excellent. Listening to this CD makes one feel at home. While very original these songs seem to have some familiarity in that they just feel comfortable. This CD is so natural so real and so organic I cannot help but listen over and over. Freshest bluegrass I have heard in years yet it's not fair to confine the Finders into that category.

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