With a sound based on the breezy, dusty Country Rock model conjured in the ’70s by bands like Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Eagles, Little Feat, Pure Prairie League, Sweetheart of the Rodeo-era Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, Root Cellar Xtract is a relatively new Cincinnati band featuring some veteran area musicians.
The group was formed in early 2016 by singer/songwriter/guitarist Clyde Bailey, whose roots go back to ’90s band Clyde and the Loonies (which won one of radio station 97X’s annual local band competitions) and who later spent a decade in Europe with his Clyde Bailey Band before returning stateside. After years performing solo, Bailey got the band itch again and built Root Cellar Xtract around his vision of a pure, vintage Country Rock sound. He nabbed some top-notch talent for the group, enlisting drummer Paul Ellis, who plays with a wide array of area musicians, including Ricky Nye; pianist Phillip Burkhead, a longtime educator and notable area Jazz artist; bassist Elia Burkhart, a solo performer and member of Moonshine & Wine, among other projects; guitarist Jim Pelz, a singer/songwriter known for his solo work and the band Hickory Robot; and pedal-steel guitarist Steve Mueller, who has also worked with various musicians in the area and was inspired to start playing after seeing JD Call play with Pure Prairie League in a Mount Adams bar in the early ’70s.
With a few months of playing together under their belts, the members of Root Cellar Xtract teamed up with ace musician/producer Brian Lovely and recorded their debut album, Rear View Mirror Eyes, which features contributions from local players like Nye, Scott Carnder, Brandt Smith and Lauren Schloemer, among others. The album will be released this Saturday in conjunction with a show at Arnold’s Bar & Grill (210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, arnoldsbarandgrill.com). Showtime is 9 p.m. and there is no cover charge.
Given the members’ impressive qualifications, it’s not a surprise that Rear View Mirror Eyes is loaded with tremendous musicianship. What’s somewhat unanticipated is the songwriting. While it’s not shocking that the songs are well constructed (Bailey and Pelz in particular have established their formidable writing skills with other projects), it is amazing how much the music sticks to the “ ’70s Country Rock” game plan (including the streak of Bakersfield Country reverence that ran through much of the original music) so thoroughly and consistently. Given the broad spectrum of Americana styles finding favor with the popularity of Roots music these days — and given the expertise in varying genres that the players bring to the table — one might expect a band like Root Cellar Xtract to veer off on, say, an acoustic Country Blues jag for at least one song. But, reminiscent of the stylistic commitment on early albums by The Mavericks or Chris Isaak, the group never breaks character and it makes the album a more satisfying listen, especially because the musicians pull it off so incredibly well. With some help from the crisp production work, Root Cellar Xtract captures the atmosphere of the classic Country Rock sound impeccably, yet never veers into total rehash territory.
Highlights of Rear View Mirror Eyes include the chugging “Bury Me,” featuring a great chorus hook, bubbling banjo, lovely multi-part harmonies and beautiful fiddle parts, and “I Still Wonder If,” which is a great exhibition of traditional Honky Tonk guitar, pedal steel and piano interplay. “Don’t Take Me Home” is another standout, with sublime melodies and an evocative mournful-sunset ambiance.
For anyone who misses that distinct emotional feeling those songs that came out of the ’70s Laurel Canyon scene gave them, Rear View Mirror Eyes is a must-have. There aren’t many people making music like that anymore, and even if there were, it’s doubtful anyone could do it with the precision and artistry Root Cellar Xtract does.
For more information, visit rootcellarxtract.com, where you can listen to and purchase Rear View Mirror Eyes digitally. The title track is also available on the site as a free download.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: mbreen@citybeat.com
This article appears in May 17-24, 2017.