The Palm Wine Boys Revisited

Back in October, I wrote this article about the Palm Wine Boys and their founder, Richard Linley. Sadly, ill health has kept Linley down, but not out. He is finally back on the mend and happily, the Palm Wine Boys are returning for a special concert in Oakland this Sunday.

These days, Richard Linley, writer, singer, guitarist and founder of "The Palm Wine Boys", has been spending much of his time in recording sessions for his latest album, pausing only for treatment while he battles a recent, life threatening illness. His music and spirit has been inspirational to his fellow musicians, especially the latest incarnation of the 'Boys; bassist Ariane Cap, guitarist Mathew Lacques and his long-time collaborator, percussionist QB Williams. "When words fail we turn to music, to listen, or to play", recalled Cap. "Richard's tunes have been turned to by many a restless soul to find relief. His songs are so hopeful, comforting, joyful." Fittingly, I thought it was high time I revisited one of the Bay Area's best loved West African music ensembles, The Palm Wine Boys.

The Palm Wine Boys apparently dread describing their sound in two words or less. Phrases like "pan-African guitar" seem too exotic, but "acoustic folk" doesn't quite draw the crowds. Fortunately for us, this San Francisco Bay Area-based quartet's latest CD "Up and Down", reveals a melodic sound that defies stereotypes. The Palm Wine Boys take two musical genres they love, American folk and Palm wine music, and blend them perfectly to create a sound responsible for a relaxed kind of high, characteristic not only of Palm Wine, but the Palm Wine Boys.

Intertwining guitar lines, a unique, catchy rhythmic style, searching, spiritual lyrics and harmonizing voice appear on "Up and Down," was recorded in the Oakland, California studio of Wildplum Recordings. "The Palm Wine Boys' music speaks to people looking for music with some kind of depth to it. Not too serious, just not pleased with state of popular music and searching for an original sound. Our audience is drawn to the various acoustic styles - taking a genre and bringing something new to it. Palm Wine Boys is a sound that is different, slightly exotic, without being inaccessible," says Richard Linley, PWB singer/songwriter, describing the band's draw.

Palm wine music originated in West Africa; Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria saw the birth of the genre. Palm wine music became internationally known in the 1950s through Ebenezer Calender and his Maringar Band; a decade later, S.E. Rogie achieved cult celebrity status and became known as the "godfather" of palm wine music with records including "The 60s Sound of S.E. Rogie."

The Palm Wine Boys first formed in 2002 when Richard Linley, Tom Chandler, and QB Williams broke from the great world dance band Mud Hut to concentrate on pared-down acoustic songs. Singer/songwriter Linley played sax and guitar in the late 80s with S.E. Rogie and wanted to bring palm wine's mellow influence to the new project. As a songwriter, Linley had been inspired by the greats of American folk, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. The Palm Wine Boys began combining serious lyrics with melodic, upbeat arrangements, using an organic approach to create new music.

Linley soon added the acoustic bass of Eliyahu Sills, and the 'Boys were off and running. The incredible percussion of Williams and his assorted bongoes and mini-bass drums; the lilting bass lines of Sills; Linley and Chandler's guitars and writing made the Palm Wine Boys one of the best loved acts on the world music scene. After garnering much deserved praise and critical acclaim, fatherhood would soon claim Chandler and his chair was temporarily filled by the gifted young Berkeley guitarist Cas Lucas. The return of Chandler would unfortunately also see the departure of Sills, who would go on to form his exotic Middle-Eastern ensemble, "Qadim". Enter Ariane Cap, bassist extraordinaire, and the "Boys" had now become an equal opportunity combo. The joys of parenthood called Chandler once again, finally leaving the group for good and paving the way for guitarist Mathew Lacques. All seemed well in Palm Wine land until the unthinkable happened.

"Richard's illness smacked right into the middle of production of our new album", Cap recalled. "The recent hard months of witnessing Richard's suffering, and not being able to play together as Richard got weaker and weaker, are making us once again aware of how special creating music together is. We are looking forward to finishing work on our new songs and creating a jewel of West African-Americana folk beauty a la Palm Wine Boys. As all experiences infuse the music we make, this CD will be especially close to our hearts."

Undaunted, Linley soldiers on and expects to finish his latest long awaited CD soon. For those wishing to contribute to Linley's ongoing efforts both musical and medical, they can do so here: http://palmwineboysforrichard.com/

Get well soon Richard.

The Palm Wine Boys
Sunday, December 14th @ 4:00 pm
2014 Park Blvd. (about a block down from the Parkway Theater)
$10.00

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