Some Assemby Required "Tools Of The Trade"

A review, by Gary Robertson

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of musicians happier about the release of a new project than my friends, the members of Some Assembly Required.  They had worked hard and long on this project and the waiting was absolutely driving them crazy.  well it finally came out and I’ve been handed a copy for my listening pleasure and for review.  All in all the band has chosen an eclectic group of songs to record, but that is reasonable since their live sets are also filled with eclectic tunes.  

The first song on the CD is a rather standard Bluegrass tune called “Wrong Road Again,” sung in fine style Guitarist by Lynn Stephens.  Next up is the great Hank Williams song “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight,”  sung here very effectively by Leo  Szydlowski, Mandolinist for the group.  The third song called “Callie’s Reel” is sung by Leo and is interesting in that the tune is mentioned in the song which is known as Devil’s Dream.  Eric Gibson of the Gibson Brothers did a fine job putting words to an old instrumental tune.  “This Little House of Mine” written by Kimberly Fox & Susanne Munpower.  This is a ballad of the sadness and growth of moving through life.  Lynn does a fine job with the lead with Leo joining in singing a strong harmony line.

Leo wrote “Just Like Candy” based on his first and most likely only experience with chewing tobacco.   “Footprints” written by Russell Johnson & Julie Elkins that put the old anonymous poem about the footprints in the sand into a fine ballad, sung here strongly by Lynn.  A beautiful song sung with feeling.   “Go My Way” is a Gordon Lightfoot song done here effectively by Lynn with a fine intro by guest Dobroist Bob Burroughs.  Leo joins Lynn singing a strong tenor on the chorus.  “By The Mark” recently recorded by Dailey & Vincent is well covered here by Some Assembly Required.  

The next song on the project is an old country standard called “Just Someone I Used To Know.”  Again Bob Burroughs joins the band on Dobro for this song.  “Red Clay Halo” written by Gillian Welch (As was By The Mark) is a perky song about a girl who grew up in the country surrounded by red clay soil.  Lynn performs this song beautifully and has made it a tour-de-force.  The last song on the CD is entitled “A Place To Rest,” was written by Leo and is sung here by Leo joined by Lynn in a sentimental song about life at home with Grandpa.  This is a fine song and was really quite a surprise for me.  I believe this is Leo’s best work. 

As with most bands the lead pickers and singers tend to get mentioned over and over and those who are the bedrock upon which the band rest are often neglected.  I want to correct that right now by complimenting Ernie Freeby on his rock solid and unobtrusive Bass playing throughout the project.  It is my opinion that Some Assembly Required has produced a recorded  project they can all be proud of.  Let me say that if your enjoy seeing and hearing Some Assembly Required in a live setting then you will very much enjoy this CD, “Tools Of The Trade.”