Press, News & Reviews
CD Review of Burning Moonlight by Ken Cartwright 2-27-22
Label: Syco Billys
Band Members:
Don Baker: Guitar-Vocals
Bruce Carnine: Bass-Vocals
Tristin Thomas: Mandolin-Cello-Vocals
Luc Dauvin: Fiddle-Vocals
Glen Damewood: Banjo-Dojo-Vocals

Silverton Oregon based Syco Billys’ Glen Damewood and Don Baker have been friends and band mates for many years. It shows in their collaboration of music both on this album and in their live performances. They are not a bluegrass band, but their instrumentation are bluegrass instruments. This writer and the band considers them Americana, but when asked if they could go on stage and do a bluegrass set, the resounding answer is “Yes.”

It is their first album recorded in their brand new recording studio Silverton Oregon that they built called Firefish Studio. Mixed by Dylan Barr and Mastered by Sean Norton. They built the studio to control the final product and because they had the skill to mix and edit to their taste, thus controlling the final product. The studio also gives them the ability to record when they are ready without the hassle of time and distance constrains. This is their 4th album as the Syco Billys String band and most current.

Their website www.sycobillys.com describes their music this way. “Syco Billys is an Upbeat Americana String Band that highlights the eclectic tastes of the band members. The music is refined by decades of musical experience with honeyed strings and rich harmonies.

Five of the songs on this album are original songs written by and for this album by the band, several others are written by acquaintances of the band. The other songs, like Song For Life and Superstition are old gems they have been playing for years and their arrangements are unique and grass-like.

This is one of those albums that when you put it on at home or play it in your car or truck, you just want to not stop before the CD is finished, and you might be inclined to take the long way home so you can hear it again! Well-crafted songs and arrangements pass for more than a local band putting out the obligatory album.

The album is directly available from the band either through their website www.Sycobillys.com or by calling Glen Damewood at 503-551-8170 and available for listening by going to Spotify.

Review by
Ken Cartwright
Program and Music Director of KYAC Community Radio
Mill City Oregon www.kyacfm.org