Maynard Brothers Band
Nasty Packages
Pacific Sol MBB 5248

The Maynard Brothers are guitarist Erv and bassist Jeff, and the rest of their band consists of guitarist Gary Braczewski and drummer Harold Reiser. Though their label is out of California, the recording location and other clues point to a New York base for the group. While their sound is often blues based, many other influences are evident too, most notably a touch of such country revival icons as Butch Hancock and Joe Ely. All of the set's ten songs were penned by Erv and include such wry lyrics as "Jimmy had a car, a job, a girlfriend and a wife/ Pretty much the order of importance in his life" (from Some Days You Burn). Bluesiest cuts are the crunching Leave me with something baby and the slow Waitin' On A Bone. -Jim DeKoster

Maynard Brothers Band . Nasty Packages .  PacificSol 5248

Brothers Erv (guitar) and Jeff Maynard (bass and vocals) lead this thoughtful upstate New York combo on their second album. Erv, writer of the group's songs, is one of the more adventurous wordsmiths you'll hear -- his subjects range from girl trouble to wartime romance to a psychopath's murderous trail. The band is more than capable and the production is solid. Nasty Packages is probably too musically and lyrically complicated to satisfy blues traditionalists, and many of the songs have a rock 'n' roll edge. Singer Jeff Maynard's voice sometimes suggests a twangier Burton Cummings: indeed, the rocking "Sad But True" is reminiscent of The Guess Who's bluesier offerings. "I Don't Mind Livin' Alone" combines boogie-style verses with rockier chords on the chorus. Both tunes feature fine harmony vocals.

More straight-ahead tunes include the relaxed, grooving "Some Days You Burn," which boasts ace Hammond B-3 work from guest Tony Perrino, and the sweet acoustic lament "Waitin' Such Awhile." Of the other unplugged tunes, "Ludmilla's Wedding" is a treacly folk tune that's a bit too pretty for its own good, while the set closer "Song For Allison" starts as a nicely picked variation on the melody from "Over The Rainbow" before becoming a dry, folk-based character study. "Leave Me With Something Baby" is a midtempo blues with imaginative chord changes, an impassioned vocal from Jeff, and a firey solo excursion from Erv. 

These guys can really bash it out; the album's best cuts include hard funk number "Waitin' On A Bone," with its sweet, grungy guitar work and spare vocal (writer Erv's wordiness sometimes gets in the way of his songs). With a powerful, gripping guitar solo, it's reminiscent of '70's rock icons Steppenwolf. Also excellent is the dreamy "Drifting Back," with its Hendrixian rhythm guitar and epic vocal chorus. Overall, Nasty Packages is a nice trip, but one that's mainly recommended for those with wide-open ears.

I began a couple or three years ago to hear recordings that I categorized to my readers as "American rock" music.  The recordings that loosely fit into this category were those that contained portions of numerous genres, including blues, folk, southern and classic rock, all melted into a most delightful casserole.  This new style of music has been particularly gratifying to these old ears, which have managed somehow to survive boy bands, rap, and disco.

One of my favorite artists of this type are the New York based Maynard Brothers.  With the release of their second CD "Nasty Packages", the lads have managed early in their career to do something that few other bands seem capable of accomplishing:  they have managed to follow an excellent debut recording with an even better second effort. No sophomore jinx for the highly talented Maynards, as "Nasty Packages" artistically eclipses their self titled debut recording.   It is, as was the first, a mixture of acoustic and electric rock and blues, all either partly or totally emanating from the pen of guitarist Erv Maynard, who is beginning to establish himself as one of the better song writers of this generation. Brother Jeff again adds both bass guitar and even better quality vocals than on their fine debut set.  Drummer Harold Reiser returns along with new comer and long time friend Gary Bracjewski on second guitar to improve an already formidable line up.    

The Maynard Brothers Band - Nasty Packages - 2003
Coined ' a blues-afflicted, roadhouse-rock group'. This is likely the most eclectic blues CD I've ever heard. It is a very delightful blend of blues, folk, classic and southern rock. The original songs offer great lyrics and instrumentation, and fine vocals. Tracks change between driving electric blues and rock, and tasty acoustic ballads. The addition of a nice violin and female vocals on a few tunes mixes it up even more, The variety of sound styling makes for enjoyable listening and offers something for everyone. If your looking for a new and different blues CD, I recommend you check this one out.

Excellent CD. The MB have done it again with an original combination of cool grooves, inspirational lyrics and professional production. You'll listen to this one over and over again!
www.maynardbrothersband.com

"I thought Delbert McClinton was having a fist fight with members of Led Zeppelin during a screening of Apocalypse Now Redux. But it turned out my wife had been playing the latest Maynard Brothers Band CD 'Nasty Packages' on the stereo. I've never been the same since."
     -  Will Ray of the Hellecasters

"I can feel the elastic around the blues undies stretching some more. When that thing breaks, the MBB is gonna be the first thing you see hangin' there."
         - Ken Maynard,  Producer of The MBB