New review of "Magical Land"

Redding songwriter and bandleader Rick Larsen reviews the new Jim Dyar Band album.

About The Jim Dyar Band (JDB)
 
The Redding-based Jim Dyar Band blends diverse roots stylings from far Northern California. The band, which formed in 2007, performs original songs and covers by such artists as Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Merle Haggard and dozens of others. The current lineup includes: Jim Dyar (vocals, guitar), Torri Pratt (vocals, percussion), Eric Day (guitar), Steve Huff (bass) and Rick Harter (drums).

The band, voted Best of the North State in 2010 by readers of the Record Searchlight newspaper, has shared the stage at festivals and concerts with such artists as Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Blue Turtle Seduction, Blaw Blaw Woof Woof, Incendio and many others. Jim has collaborated with members of Merle Haggard's Strangers and has a songwriting credit on the Haggard tune "Christmas in Cabo San Lucas."  



What Others are Saying ...

"Dyar’s songs draw on a variety of influences, he has studied well the Dylans, the Haggards and the Neil Youngs (throw in a dash of Gram Parsons as well) but manages to brand his music with his own stamp. Though he has one foot in a world of plastic culture gone bad and one foot in the pristine rivers and backwoods of a timeless land, he still exudes an optimism that is quite engaging. He’s plugged in with the rest of us but he cheerfully shows that we can unplug if we want to, and kicking back in your chair with your feet on the desk and a smile on your face listening to the JDB is one way to do it. We may be heading to heck in a hand basket, but it’s sure a purty ride, ain’t it?"

- Phil Fountain, anewscafe.com (July 2009)

"Dyar's music offers a feast of recognizable influences from Merle Haggard to The Byrds. His band has more than earned its spurs on its debut album, 'Magical Land.'"

- Johan Shoenmakers, Alt Country/Folk

"In the last three days I've listened to seven hours of live music played by more than a dozen musicians. That's close to 200 songs, half of which I sang along with. After all that input, the only music that's looping in my brain is one song from early Friday night at the Post Office Saloon and Grill, 'Wagon Wheel,' sung in exquisite harmony by Redding's Jim Dyar and Torri Pratt."

- Kelly Brewer, writer and editor at anewscafe.com (June 2008)

“I’ll tell you like it is. For groups, actually other than Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon), it was just as big a night as we’ve had here.”

-- Leon Womack, former owner of Klub Klondike in Lakehead, CA (after a spring 2007 show)