Barr Brothers stun Red Hook SummerStage, by George Fiala

It is not too often, for me at least, that I am unexpectedly blown away by a band I’ve never heard of.

The Barr Brothers, who opened for the Felice Brothers at the free SummerStage Concert in Red Hook Park last Thursday, fall into that rare and cherished category.

At first I thought that I had stumbled onto a band playing ragas. I got to the park as they were playing their first song. I was there to set up and man a Red Hook Star-Revue table that the Parks Department was nice enough to let us have at the concerts. As I was walking across the field, I heard some Ravi Shankar type rhythms, and looked up and saw a woman playing a full sized harp.

It didn’t take very long for me to realize that there were very more impressions to come than just my first. I only wish I was half a good a writer as these musicians are at crafting and executing beautiful and inspiring music.

It wasn’t just me. Most of the audience had come out for the good time music of the Felice Brothers. These were the early arrivals. Most talking stopped as people were taking in these unexpectedly great sounds. After a while, someone shouted out “You guys are great!” He was as pleasantly shocked as I.

Their music is rich and filled with influences from all over, yet the sound is distinctively theirs, and theirs alone. I checked online and found that they are referred to as a folk group – perhaps they’ve gotten that peg because Brad Barr, the lead singer, doesn’t scream or shout – his shy voice is as perfect for the songs as Michael Stipe’s is for REM’s songs. The ensemble playing is reminiscent of a symphony orchestra in the way that groups like the Beatles, XTC or Pink Floyd are. How about being reminiscent of both Motown and the McGarrigle Sisters at the same time. Check out the song Come in the Water.

I went over to the merch stand and bought their latest CD, Sleeping Operator. That’s not something I normally do these days, but it made perfect sense and I’ve been listening to it since. I don’t normally write music reviews either, but I had to write this one.

These are the most perfect songs I’ve heard in a long time. Hear for yourself http://www.qthemusic.com/5646/listen-to-the-barr-brothers-new-album-sleeping-operator-exclusive/

And then do yourself a favor and buy the album (there actually do have vinyl product, in case you want to take me literally) and play it until it becomes part of your DNA.

They will be performing at the Newport Folk Festival, in Rhode Island, on July 25.