Review by Aaron Cloutier & Staff
Music can influence, and even change, people, movements, and society. Sharing songs about peace and social justice, ultimately reminds the world of the importance of fairness, love and unity. Gathering Time's cover of "Get Together" is one of the amazing songs that will be featured on BWH Music Group and World National Indie Radio's (WNIR) 'Songs For Change' radio special during the month of November.
My unsuspecting ears are greeted with crisp and warm acoustic guitars mixed in with gently played percussion that’s felt from the heart. Already, a tone is set as I push play on “Get Together” by the folk outfit Gathering Time as they serve up a soothing and hypnotic interpretation of the 1967 Youngbloods classic.
With the current state of affairs, it’s no surprise that a song from the turbulent period of the late 1960’s is just as relevant today as it was when it was released. Channeling your inner hippie, you will find the beautiful spirtit of togetherness in the unmistakable chorus “Come on people now. Smile on your brother. Everybody get together. Try to love one another right now.”
Musically, Gathering Time don’t diverge too much from the original composition. However, there is an engaging key change and an intentionally more mellow presentation which mezemrizes with a soft touch. It allows the lyrics to sink in rather than be forced in. Gathering Time’s version combines warm bass, acoustic guitars and lightly played percussion to give plenty of space for their captivating ethereal vocal harmonies and subtle dynamics creating a hypnotic effect. The repetition of the chorus itself has a very calming effect and doesn’t seem to get old; each repetition adds to the layers of peacefulness.
This version of “Get Together” feels much more like a gentle request instead of a demand which brilliantly illustrates a point in getting other’s attention. Rarely will you ever get someone to listen to you if you’re yelling at them and this song seems to manifest this perfectly through the music itself. Whether that was intentional or not, it works masterfully and gives the song a deeper folk sensibility.
In short “Get Together” seems more appropriate than ever for these equality contentious times. There’s enough negativity going on in the world and songs like “Get Together” are a much welcomed message to help counteract all the madness out in the air. Gathering Times' interpretation of this cover walks softly and carries a big message.
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For more information about Gathering Time, please visit their website.
About Gathering Time GatheringTime is an internationally touring folk-rock harmony AAA/Americana trio in the spirit of the '60s and beyond, playing original, classic 20th-century, and trad tunes. Like a co-ed CSN, GT is known for astute songwriting, spirited and accomplished musicianship -- and a stellar vocal blend. Stuart Markus, Hillary Foxsong and Gerry McKeveny evince deep roots in ‘60s folk-rock, with a healthy dash of traditional folk in the mix. Their stage chemistry makes clear that they take the music (if not themselves) very seriously, yet their infectious energy wins over even fans who never considered themselves folkies.
GatheringTime swept the international folk radio chart Folk DJ-List in March 2016, as their original CD Keepsake took the #1 album and #1 song slots which, with five other songs in the top 25, landed them as the #1 artist as well. This followed on the heels of When One Door Closes (#3 album, January 2014) and Red Apples and Gold (#5 album, September 2012). Since then they've followed up with three top-5 singles: "Tanglewood Tree" (Dave Carter), #3 in March 2017, and a joint 2-song release with Mara Levine, "By My Silence" (Bukstel/Annis) and "Too Far to Turn Back Now" (Markus), #1 and #4 in September 2017. To date, GatheringTime has had a record five juried showcases at NERFA (Tricentrics in 2009 and ’10, a Formal in 2011, a mini-NERFA showcase in 2013 and a Quad in 2015); they were one of the three Emerging Artists at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2012 voted “Most Wanted” to return in 2013.
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