Huw Stephens kindly made 'Last of the Charanguistas' his Album of the week on the Radio 1 introducing show in January 2008...
The debut album 'Last of the Charanguistas' is now available online. You can buy it right here , get it from Rough Trade , or find it on iTunes
the epstein are winners in the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition and performed at the Glastonbury Festival '07 in the Acoustic Tent, then came back and did it all again in 2008.
the epstein talk about Glastonbury '07 and their debut album on BBC Radio Oxford
here!
the epstein also currently have a single out on Truck Records - BlackDog/6:06pm. This can be purchase from itunes here or on limited edition 7 inch vinyl here
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ALBUM REVIEWS
Rolling Stone (****) Germany:
"The Epstein have recorded this beguiling debut with an overwheing sense of ingeniousness and enthusiasm... There has not been a better band to come out of England this year, the epstein play in another league - in a vast, desert like land of the soul."
Q Magazine (***):
"...as engaging as Calexico and as an endearing as The Broken Family Band."
Subba - Cultcha (****):
"They've got a striking, original sound. Definitely ones to watch."
www.allgigs.com (****)
"It’s pretty obvious that The Epstein have been working diligently on this excellent debut album, played by a band of very talented multi-instrumentalists. This collection has plenty of variety to keep you glued from start to finish.
File under : Excellent start to a promising career.
www.popconnection.de
"Now, ‘Last Of the Charanguistas’, the first Long play album from the band is available in the shops and will bring tears of joy to the eyes of those who hold bands such as Calexico or Ox close to their hearts."
Americana UK (7/10):
"One thing that strikes me about this record is that there seems to be a collective spirit at work. I'm swayed by that Arcade Fire, Decemberists strength, those individual elements coming together to make something quite powerful. A compelling debut."
www.schallplattenman.de (****):
"Have i misheard or misread somewhere along the line? No, as perhaps the best Americana album this year has actually come from the UK... A definite Highlight."
Tim Bearder BBC Download Music Show:
"The realisation of years of promise. It constitutes a fantastic body of work, with light and dark woven together through intricate skill."
Dale Kattack, Nightshift Music Magazine:
"The Epstein have grown into something special... these ten tracks are a varied and engaging road trip.. the melancholic intensity of tracks like 'Just the Wind' is where The Epstein strike gold."
Mick Conmy, BBC Oxford online:
"One of Oxfords pre-eminent bands, on the cusp of breaking through... raw fragile emotion and their trademark banjo sound straight from Appalachia."
Colin Mackinnon, OxfordBands.com:
"The Epstein are a top-rate band and they have produced a record that is moving, playful, energising and sincere...undeniably vivid and romantic."
Russel Barker, Russells Reviews Sept 07:
"All in all, a marvellous album"
Live Reviews
LOFT Review - southeastgigs.com
"We headed straight for the Cow Shed on Sunday to see The Epstein playing. Their performance had us glued from the start, and they brought a different element to the afternoon with their infectious beats and sizzling guitar strokes...
this was the first time we’d heard of them and were really impressed. If you’re looking for something a bit different then definitely check them out."
Christopher Grey - The Oxford Times
"A better crowd by far was gathered earlier on Saturday at Cornbury Festival's Riverside Stage to enjoy a gripping display of musical skill from The Epstein. I have been a big fan of the hugely melodic, country influenced sound of this five man group since acquiring their album earlier in the year. It was good to hear their now familiar songs (and other excellent ones besides) delivered so flawlessly in live performance."
Oxfordbands.com live review 02/08
"There was no lack of confidence from The Epstein, who were magnificent throughout a superb set... the sheer life of the performance- despite having four guitarists everyone is needed, everyone is vital. And they have songs to die for; one of my favourites is “Nothing changes in the Old Town†which didn’t even make the album. “That Dress That She Wore†and “Dance the Night Away†(with Joe Bennett blowing up a storm on trumpet) were transcendent glories and make you think that the Epstein could indeed rewrite musical fashion in Britain 2008. "
Playmusic Magazine, June 2007
"The Epstein are not any band, they make this venue feel like the party of the century. They draw influences from classic country, including a Gram Parsons cover that surpasses the original, bluegrass, blues, surf, and good oldtime rock and roll, topping it off with a style that is all their own."
KERRANG (!) - Truck festival live review 2006:
"The Epstein (KKKKK) absolutely storm the Market Stage, the screams for their country stomp are by far the loudest heard all day."
BBC Oxford:
The Epstein are akin to a force of nature. Their excellent musicianship and folky camaraderie calls to mind a young Fairport Convention.
Nightshift Magazine:
[T]hey oscillate between heartfelt, blues-tinged melodies, drenched in slide guitar and gorgeous three-part harmonies, and an odd combination of bluegrass and desert music…it’s impossible to deny the charm and warmth excluding from the stage. They could be something special.
Nightshift Magazine:
(A) band with a clutch of masterful, understatedly powerful pop anthems to their name…
BBC Oxford online:
The Epstein [are] a fantastic band with a whole mix of influences. They looked like [they] had assembled an army to bring joy to the masses and judging by the encore that’s exactly what they did.
dailyinfo.co.uk:
The Epstein have got really, really good. It’s a rocking sound: powerful but tight; exuberant and swinging but with sweet harmonies (cuff their tear-jerking classic ‘Leave your Light On’) in their place. It’s country without the tweeness, and rock without the tiresome earnestness, and has a gorgeous twangy banjo-rich bounce that makes you want to get up and dance.
oxfordbands.com:
The Epstein show immense commitment to their material… Above all, the music is gloriously well played… The lead vocalist is technically superb, urgent, soulful and powerful…
The Epstein - Leave Your Light On
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