Jeff and Benares Press Reviews

In an age when so many young old-time and bluegrass acts are playing music in search of that old lonesome sound, (Jeff and Benares) have found it.

Schooled by sought after old-time banjo player Riley Baugus, Finan-Eshelman also knows her way around the guitar and the accordion.

Much like roots music contemporaries Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, (Jeff and Benares) know how to find the beauty in sad songs. However, Angeley and Finan-Eshelman sing and play their songs with a rough-around-the-edges charm and a burning, raw passion for song.

Having now given their low key and thoroughly enjoyable CD Broken Things, a number of listens, I can safely assert that the already well-to-do music scene in our town has been made slightly more rich. There is a refreshing warmth and resonance to their songs buttressed by Jeff's assured singing and instrumental work and Benares' voice-the sort of precise yet delicate twang that is sure to please fans of Gillian Welch, Maybelle Carter, and Little Sadie. Fourteen songs, original material written by the pair with a few traditional numbers lovingly included that in many ways (is) music exactly reflective (of) the creators; inviting, unassuming, and imminently likeable.

Duo Jeffrey Angeley and Benares Finan-Eshelman are a perfect example of great local folk music...the audience loved the performance. The songs-by turns funny, sad and silly-were a great tonic on a wet and dreary late-summer evening.

Finan-Eshelman's vocals were the most memorable part of the evening. She managed to slide from the romantic whimsy of 'June Apple' to the beautiful melody of 'Pretty Saro'...she changed gears effortlessly throughout the evening.

Angeley...is a fine fiddler, and an even better guitarist...his songwriting talent may trump his instrumental skills.

If you're in a mood, Jeff Angeley and Benares Finan-Eshelman probably have the music for it...Their songwriting blows me away. They equally outshine each other. Their ecclecticism is highlighted by their use of different instrumentation, Jeff's songwriting reflects his interest in classical literature while Benares' is more down home, straight from the heart.

To read the full article written about us in the New Bedford "Standard Times" click here.

Broken Things exhibits the exquisite vocal harmonies of their original songs and their carefully-written lyrics. Their songs reveal funny stories, sad tales, and everything in between.

Jeff is a talented guitarist who has gained a lot of notoriety for his impressive solos.

On (Little Tin of Lard by the Rusty Stringbandits) you can hear these multi-instrumentalists at their best.