The Wood That Makes It Good

Ways Not To Lose
The Wood Brothers
(Blue Note/EMI)

It's become a running joke for my wife and I that during our twice-yearly visits to Birdland Music in Virginia Beach, two things invariably will happen: First, I will spend too much money on CDs. Second, Birdland's proprietor, Barry Friedman, will sell me (at least) two discs I wasn't looking for when I arrived.

I suppose we could add a third: The discs he talks me into will be in heavy rotation for weeks if not longer. It's happened without fail for a few years, and shows no sign of changing. The latest object of my affection is "Ways Not to Lose," the debut album from guitar/bass duo The Wood Brothers.

One of the Woods is bassist Chris, whose regular gig is with the jazz/jam band Medeski, Martin & Wood. The other is his older brother Oliver on guitar. They are joined by Kenny Wollesen on drums for five of the 12 tracks, and the result is a tasteful mix of blues, folk, rock and jazz that invites repeated plays.

I'm not much of a jam-band guy as a rule; I don't dislike the scene or the bands, but sometimes the instrumental noodling can be too much, and often it comes at the expense of songcraft. If you're apprehensive about jam bands, fear not. "Ways Not To Lose," which was produced by MM&W's John Medeski, is an Americana album. Aside from the aforementioned melange of roots styles, the focus is on tight, well-written songs.

Like jam bands, though, the Woods put the emphasis on the groove. Oliver, who plays guitar in Atlanta blues/rock band King Johnson, greases the wheels with tasty slide guitar, and he has a soulful voice with a pinched, nasal quality that might remind you a bit of David Gray. Though drums are used only sparingly, you won't miss them. Between Chris' stand-up bass and Oliver's percussive guitar style, there's plenty of beat to go around.

The tunes roll along pleasantly, and if you listen to them on that level you'll like them just fine. But there's another level to these songs, most of which were written or co-written by Oliver. They're rooted in spirituality, and they work well that way, too. That's not to say the disc is all angels and faith and perseverance, but those certainly are prevailing themes. Oliver's writing can best be characterized as optimistic, such as on "One More Day":

What did I tell you
What did I say
Just when your faith is gone
Give it one more day

Some of the other song titles, such as "Tried and Tempted," "Glad," "The Truth is the Light," "Sprit" and "That's What Angels Can Do," suggest a an overall feeling of faith. Adding to the spirituality is the traditional "Angel Band," and the Woods couldn't have chosen a more fitting cover:

Oh come, angel band
Come and around me stand
Bear me away on your snow white wings
to my immortal home
Bear me away on your snow white wings
to my immortal home.

Superficially or on a deeper level, you'll be lifted by "Ways Not to Lose" from the first spin.