Few bands would categorize their sound as "mountaintop chamber music," yet The Last Bison's classical-influenced Southern folk-rock actually fits the bill. The septet emerged from the marshes of Chesapeake, Va., a couple years ago, and has since made a name for itself with its complex arrangements, refined lyrics and vocal harmonies. Singer-guitarist Ben Hardesty is the group's primary songwriter, and his style recalls the work of Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists and Fleet Foxes. (That said, none of those bands have a frontman sharing the stage with his sister, nor does a 75-year-old pump organ reside among their instruments.)
The Last Bison finished recording a new album this past July, and hopes to release it early this year. In the meantime, the band released an EP, Inheritance, last fall. (Link)
This World Cafe session was originally published on January 8, 2013.
Tracklisting
(( )) for interlude music
David Gilmour “There’s No Way Out of Here” David Gilmour
Django Django “Default” Django Django
Ben Lee “Catch My Disease” Awake Is the New Sleep
Kail Baxley “Say Goodbye to the Night” Heat Stroke/The Wind & The War
((The Last Bison “Switzerland” Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
The Last Bison “Take All the Time” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
The Last Bison “The Woodcutter’s Son” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
The Last Bison “Switzerland” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
((The Last Bison “Take All the Time” Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
Counting Crows “Come Around” Saturday Night & Sunday Mornings
Eels “New Alphabet” Wonderful Glorious
The Alabama Shakes “Hold On” The Alabama Shakes EP
Little Walter “Juke” The Essential Little Walker
Lord Huron “Ends of the Earth” Lonesome Dreams
Birdie Busch “Be the Arrow” Birdie Busch and the Greatest Night
Birdie Busch “Far from the Tree” Birdie Busch and the Greatest Night
Violent Femmes “Gone Daddy Gone” Violent Femmes
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros “Man On Fire” Here
((Y La Bamba “Mad As We Are” Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
Steve Earle & The Dukes “Invisible” Low Highway
Steely Dan “Cousin Dupree” Two Against Nature
Jeff Buckley “Last Goodbye” Grace
Phosphorescent “Song For Zula” Muchacho
((Chuck Prophet “You Did (Bomp Shooby Doobie Bomp)” Age of Miracles))
Boy “Little Numbers” Mutual Friends
Neko Case “This Tornado Loves You” Middle Cyclone
Iron & Wine “Grace for Saints and Ramblers” Ghost on Ghost
Ballake Sissokko “Asa Branca” At Peace