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Leaps and bounds
The Gabe Dixon band hits its stride
By Christy Brownfield
Bluegrass and jazz are the most noticeable influences into The Gabe Dixon Band’s music; however “Sirens” has a decidedly more country feel to it, hardly surprising since the band is based in Nashville.
Though The Gabe Dixon Band may not be instantly recognizable as a band, for any One Tree Hill devotees, the song “Disappear” should sound more than familiar. The song has been featured a number of times on the drama due to its popularity and appropriateness.
Well, the band has moved forward since releasing that single and their most recent album, self titled “The Gabe Dixon Band,” shows amazing depth and quotable lyrics.
The makeup of the band is pretty simple, with lead singer Gabe Dixon on vocals, guitar and piano, Winston Harrison on bass and backup vocals, and Jano Rix on drums and backup vocals. This equation proves that limited components equal the sweetest results.
The band formed nine years ago, after rooming together at the University of Miami. Since then, the trio has flown relatively under the radar despite receiving stellar reviews for its overall composition and lyrics. This latest venture, with Dixon’s mellow crooning, and slight country twangs is sure to launch the band into the spotlight they surely deserve.
While “The Gabe Dixon Band” is partially comprised of previously released songs, they have been reworked, and provide a good sampling of the ands accomplishments. The new songs, however, really push the bands musical limits, and even suggest a foray into country inspired territory.
One of the most notable songs on the album is “Further the Sky” with Mandy Smith. The lyrics are insightful and beautiful, they seem proverbial. Starting out with “when you don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know why,” Dixon and Smith make the hardships of life seem endurable—with such lovely and enchanting harmonies, can it matter that “the steeper you climb the harder you stand to fall/ the stronger you get the heavier the load?”
Bluegrass and jazz are the most noticeable influences into The Gabe Dixon Band’s music; however “Sirens” has a decidedly more country feel to it, hardly surprising since the band is based in Nashville. For those steadfast against country, the piano keeps the song on a more bluegrass level, with just the harmony touching on twangy.
Another highlight of the album which deserves mention is “And The World Turned,” describing the heartache of losing a loved one. With the heroine of the song whispering “I miss you, come back to me, I wish you’d come back to me/ and nobody heard/and the world turned.” The haunting lyrics seems to musically quantify any tragic situation every experienced.
The unexpected beauty of Dixon’s voice, combined with his lyrics and the overall composition make this a giant leap forward for the trio already receiving rave reviews. “The Gabe Dixon Band” is the perfect new page for the band looking to create a fan base with sampling of old favorites and new classics.
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