A Sneak [P]Review of BSU Grass Band’s Upcoming Album
Photo Courtesy of BSU Grass band.
Christian Segers, Opinion Editor
The BSU Grass Band from North Greenville University continues to push the boundaries of contemporary blue grass with its sophomore record, blending elements of folk, country and gospel together to create an album that is sonically different from any saturating the airwaves in early 2016.
When North Greenville faculty new hire Wesley Brashier made the transition to work with the on campus Baptist Student Union, he had no prior knowledge as to the success his work would accrue; however, without his guidance, the band would have probably never formed.
“When the Lord called me here, I was looking for ways to connect with students,” Brashier said. “I would bring my guitar and mandolin and I found that was a great way. Pretty soon, we had a group of really talented students.”
Before long, the group had released its first EP, a five-track project, simply entitled, BSU Grass and was playing at various churches and festivals throughout Greenville county and the Upstate.
BSU Grass is comprised of six primary members: Courtney Simmons as team leader and lead vocalist, Benjamin Owens as male lead vocalist and guitarist, Codie Sloan on banjo, Samuel Owen on Bass, Korey Collum as sound engineer and Laura Harrison and Rebekah Nix backing with harmony vocals. Brashier occasionally steps in for select performances, while additionally providing an overarching source of guidance for the band.
Although the album was tentatively titled, Ready Now, on April 29 the band hopes to release its first full-length album, officially titled Just Any Moment. The Vision Online was given the exclusive opportunity to preview demo’s of the working track list for Just Any Moment and the album surpassed even the loftiest of expectations for a student-led, independent release. Although the final order of the record has not been decided upon, the following review list songs in alphabetical order and highlights the album’s standout tracks, not the record in its entirety.
While the band could follow a ‘save the best for last’ motto, the first track I was given access to, “Angel Band,” blew me away. Reminiscent of “I’ll fly away,” (another album cut) the track opened with Simmons singing the prophetic lines, “My latest sun is sinking fast/my race is nearly run/my strongest trials now are past/my triumph has begun,” while a light echo repeated her words. Coinciding with the final lyric of the previous line, the rest of the band joined in accompaniment, making it not so difficult to imagine the lead singer being born away on the “snow white wings” that she had been singing of.
“Clinch Mountain Back” is carried throughout by what seems like a chorus of banjos, mandolins and guitars. Although only three band members play instruments, the outcome of the track is that you feel as if in under the three-minute duration, you have experienced an entire concert. The fast-paced rhythm and danceable beat provides a stark, but necessary contrast to the powerful harmony of “Angel Band.”
One of the best cuts from the album and definitely a track to look for live, is “Headed for a City.” Keeping with the album’s overall theme of heaven and life after earth, “Headed for a City” provides stellar lyricism in accompaniment with a sound that is uniquely BSU Grass. Some of the album’s best lyrics are featured on this track, including the introspective words, “A city…where the saved will never die.” The male lead vocals serve to give power to a song that speaks of the power above. As in all of the album’s cuts, the harmony is pitch perfect when the chorus rolls around. If I was in charge of the album rollout, I would strongly consider making this track the first single. The song has power, it has grace and it has the positive, upbeat message that you would expect from a hit lead single.
The aforementioned songs serve as tone setters for the entire album, but the project would not be complete without the BSU Grass’ rendition of “I’ll Fly Away.” According to Brashier, “I’ll Fly Away” is one of the best-received tracks the band plays in live performances; however, the BSU Grass version of the song features a minute and a half long instrumental intro prior to any lyrics being sung. Despite the same chords being used in what could be considered excess, the layering of instruments with backing vocals gives a refreshing take on the classic song.
If you are interested in the BSU Grass band and the release of its sophomore project, plan on attending the exam breaker it will be hosting on April 29 in Turner Chapel. All students are welcome to the event and no tickets are required. The concert will coincide with the release date of Just Any Moment, which will be available for purchase at $15. Students can also chose to pay $20 to receive a copy of their first EP bundled alongside their new CD.
