A soaring fiddle lies just beneath the surface of the Teddy Gentry-penned toe-tapper "Testify," the second cut on Emerson Drive's recently released album, "Countrified."
The title is apropos for the Canadian sextet, which dishes up the delicious echo of mandolin and fiddle alongside the hollow resonance of acoustic guitar and the lush Hammond organ throughout the 11-song CD that also includes the band's take on Charlie Daniels' standard, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
OK, about that, let's give Emerson Drive some props for a cinematic approach. The song opens with a crackle that sounds like a needle being placed on a scratched vinyl . It then follows the template — baritone vocals playing second fiddle — pardon the pun — to the fiddle feud, fueled by a playful piano intro and what sounded like twin fiddles.
The song goes off on a rock tangent — we've heard that before, but it still thrills us anew every time — before that famous boom-boom, boom-boom finale.
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You can guarantee Emerson Drive will have that on its set list at KIIM's Penny Pitch fundraising concert Friday at Cactus Moon, 5470 E. Broadway.
The concert is part of the annual drive by the country radio station (99.5-FM) to raise millions of pennies to benefit Arizona's Children Association.
– Cathalena E. Burch
What: Emerson Drive at KIIM's Penny Pitch fundraising concert.
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: Cactus Moon, 5470 E. Broadway.
Tickets: $5 through KIIM, 575 W. Roger Road.
More info: 887-1000.
