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The Refugees

California

Review by Gary Hill

This group is a trio that produces a sound that is roots based. This is familiar yet fresh. Here they cover a number of songs. While the majority of the lead vocals are female, there are also male vocals here, and they take the lead at times. There often healthy helpings of country music at play, but again, I did say “roots music” based, and they do take it other directions at times. Whatever you call this, though, it’s an effective set with some great songs on it.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
You Don’t Have to Cry

I really dig the country angles and the freshness the female vocals bring on this song. This tune was originally done by Crosby Stills and Nash.

So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star

This Byrds tune gets a killer reimagining with both the rock angles from the original, but also some country ones. The instrumental break seems drift between psychedelia and almost bluegrass sounds.

Good Vibrations

I have to admit that I’m not a fan of The Beach Boys. I know, sacrilege. That said, this is the one song of theirs I like. This version captures the magic of the original, while bringing some new angles and flavors to it. I really like this a lot.

Monday Monday

The original Mamas and the Papas song is another that I’ve always liked. They do a fairly faithful rendition here. Yet they still manage to bring their own flavors to it in some ways.

Carry On

Another classic, this time from Crosby Stills Nash and Young, gets a killer rendition here. Again, they play it somewhat faithful, but the addition of the female vocals along with some other flavors keep it fresh.

Sail on Sailor

I’m not familiar with the original version of this (which was by the Beach Boys), but I dig this soft rocker as delivered here.

Sin City

This song has a real country and bluegrass ballad approach. I am not really familiar with the Flying Burrito Brothers original, but the gospel angles on this work well in this rendition.

Stand

With lots of roots music in the mix, this tune still manages to rock out. They even take it into funky, soulful territory later. Given that it was originally done by Sly and the Family Stone, that makes sense. 

Dedicated to the One I Love

We’re back into Mamas and Papas territory here. This is another solid rendition. It’s less country and more 60s pop styled.

For What It’s Worth

And, now we get a Buffalo Springfield cover. They drop the intensity down on this to some degree, but they don’t lose any of the poignancy. I really dig the guitar solo on it a lot.

 
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