For the Record

The JSD Band released three albums in the early '70s before disbanding in 1974. Although not as widely recognizable as Steeleye Span or Fairport Convention, JSD produced music which easily rivaled that of the two forerunners of electric folk. For the Record consists of re-recorded material from their previous records. It serves both as a reminder of the fine music they created and as a welcome back into the fold, since it commenced their new recording contract. JSD were equally adept at either playing contemporary versions of Celtic or American folk songs. In fact, some of the most memorable tracks on this album sound distinctly American, like "Sarah Jane," "Groundhog," and "Down the Road." Had they felt compelled, JSD could have been a premier contemporary bluegrass group — no small feat for a bunch of Scotsmen. The musicianship is superb with fiddler Chuck Flemming and jack-of-all-instruments Sean O'Rourke leading the way. Jim Divers' expertise and adaptability on double bass is further indication that there's plenty of room for standup bass in the modern folk and acoustic-based music scene. Other standout tracks like "As I Roved Out," "The Irish Girl," and "The Galway Races" prove that their strengths lie on either side of the Atlantic.