BOTTOMLANDS is the newest release from the German/American
acoustic country band SHADY MIX. SHADY MIX found its bluegrass beginnings
in 1989 on the front porch of an old 8x40 trailer in Southern Illinois,
not far from the Mississippi River. Now, twelve years, two continents, and
four albums later, the stylistic shift is complete. Founding members Wil
Maring and Mark Stoffel have combined the impressive talents of German Shady
Mix members Wolfgang Göhringer (acoustic and electric guitars), Willie
Jones (vocals, acoustic bass), and Uli Jenne (drums), with Wil's own beautiful
voice and songwriting, and Mark's tasty fiddle and mandolin work to create
an Americana masterpiece. With a generous helping of traditional country,
a dash and a half of bluegrass and the distinctive flavorings of progressive
folk, Shady Mix has found the right recipe to satisfy every Americana and
roots music fan. The eight original songs and four well-arranged cover songs
on BOTTOMLANDS follow a path worn through the heartland of America by the
Mississippi River and its tributaries, reflecting the sentiments and lifestyles
of the people that live along the shores and on the floodplains. Shady Mix
pledges allegiance to its roots with the Louvin Brothers classic, "Cash
on the Barrelhead" and bends the heartstrings with beautiful renditions
of "Louisiana 1927" and "Satisfied Mind". Willie Jones
contributes powerful lead vocals on four cuts. Original tunes like "Down
to the Levee", "Mississippi Lullaby", "River Road",
and title cut "Bottomlands" touch the heart, stir the memory,
and create that ice-tea sippin', front-porch rockin' atmosphere that every
listener will enjoy.