Album Notes

Review provided by Ron Weinstock, D.C. Blues Society

"Maiden America" is the second self-produced CD by the Deacons. The Deacons have combined superb songwriting, slick arrangements, strong vocals, and explosive instrumental prowess to create a uniquely entertaining journey through varied forms of American music.

Featuring: John O’Connor’s composition, arrangement,bass and vocals; Geoffrey Holdridge on electric viola and vocals; Bruce Middle, guitar and vocals; and Charles Mitchell, drums and vocals. Jim Boberg sings harmonies on "Mona".

All of the musicians on this recording have performed and recorded extensively. Since 1995, the Deacons have earned a reputation for exceptional virtuosity and stellar live performances.

This recording caught the group in transition as a little more than half has the guitar of Mike Dutton who plays a strong bluesy style very suggestive of Freddy King. Most tracks demonstrate how the Deacons have evolved since their first CD, "1,2,3,4...Live at the Courtyard". The group has grown from a solid meat-and-potatoes blues band into a slick, skin-tight unit that mixes blues, rock, jazz, funk, and world music into an irresistible groove.