It's another special program this week on Global A Go-Go (Sunday April 13, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at
wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at
my podcast site), with the Richmond supergroup Amminal playing live in WRIR's Studio C.
Amminal is one of the most exciting new bands I've heard in quite some time. They're organized around the songwriting of Phil Murphy, whose songs and tunes are strongly influenced by British folk and early music. The way the ensemble fleshes them out reminds me of how groups like Pentangle, Gentle Giant and even the early Jethro Tull developed a specifically British brand of progressive, improvisational folk-rock. But it's the 21st century, so they're more post-rock than prog-rock.
You can also hear Phil's background in the music of the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey in the band's sound as well. And the players are some of Richmond's finest from across the rock, folk, jazz and improvised music spectrum: Phil is on guitar, Adam Hopkins plays acoustic bass, Pippin Barnett is at the drums, Bryan Hoffa adds guitar, banjo and keyboards and Stephen Williams is on guitar as well.
They've only played a handful of public gigs so far, and their sound is developing rapidly. So catch them on Global A Go-Go this week, and you'll have a chance to see them in person at Révéler Experiences on Friday April 25 with Laura Ann Singh joining them for part of their set.
Bookending Amminal's appearance, I'll be spinning some of the copious excellent new music I've been hearing this spring. I'll have more of it to offer on next week's show as WRIR moves into our Spring 2025 Fund Drive.
