A good friend of mine out west turned me on to Tower Of Power and the Bay area sound scene that was going on out there in the late 70’s, what a great time for music that was and it forever left me with a soft spot for the almighty horn section. Now Murphy Pitts has turned me on to The Work out of Greenville and what a sound – what a band! These guys can lay it down with a groove and intensity that must be heard to be believed and from what I understand the annual live shows and benefits they are associated with must be seen and experienced in person to get a true understanding of just how powerful this band truly is.

 

Originally conceived as an informal improv ensemble, The Work, the horn-driven funky band from Greenville, SC, have grown into a cohesive and formidable unit of gifted musicians who have brought their diverse talents together to make for a unique experience that keeps the feet moving, faces smiling, and fans guessing what’s next. If you listen to their debut CD Bring Back The Good, you’ll hear the sound that’s been moving the feet of thousands of people around the southeast since 2001. Drawing on influences that range from Curtis Mayfield to Miles Davis, with a micro-dose of the Grateful Dead in the mix, The Work’s material is upbeat and uplifting with a sound that picks up where 70’s funk and R&B left off.

 

The band is comprised of Mark Dye on bass, Charles Hedgepath and Mitch Towles on guitar, Craig Sorrells on trumpet, Jason Owens on drums and Matt Jennings on the keys. All members of The Work began playing music early in life and each has shown a steadfast devotion to his respective instrument. It is their willingness to accept and experiment with different musical styles that have enabled The Work to collaborate and jam with many talented performers. In the past few years The Work’s stage has been graced with the likes of Jeff Sipe, (ARU, Leftover Salmon, Phil and Friends), Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon), the Reverend Jeff Mosier-David Blackmon-Johnny Mosier, (Blueground Undergrass), Brad Morgan, (Drive By Truckers), Bobby Lee Rodgers, (The Codetalkers), Pat Lassiter, (Tracy Lawrence Band), The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, John Keane and many more. In addition, The Work have opened for the likes of Grammy - winning Toots and the Maytals, The Wailers, Merle Saunders, Col. Bruce Hampton and a long and growing list of nationally recognized performers.

 

In 2005 The Work released their CD, Bring Back The Good, produced by John Keane, (R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls). The CD features the horns of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band on two tracks. Bring Back The Good features four different and original songwriters. The Work not only converge disparate styles, they also show an adept ability to slip seamlessly from one to another. What holds all these elements together on this disc? No doubt it is their sheer, unbridled joy of playing music, and the brilliance of John Keane’s direction. The Work’s raw appeal and the power of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band horns performances on “The Music Matters”, and “Losing Ground”, pull the listener in close where gravity holds them in a tight orbit.

 

Band Members:

Craig Sorrells - Trumpet, Vocals

Charles Hedgepath - Guitar, Vocals

Mark Dye - Bass, Vocals

Mitch Towles - Guitar, Vocals

Jeff Holland - Percussion

Jason Owens - Drums, Vocals