| The best singing and songwriting partnerships involve a respectful give and take-whether it’s in the trading of lyrical or melodic ideas, an exchange of guitar riffs, or the blending of vocal harmonies. Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas initiated such a partnership more than 20 years ago. As frontmen for the BoDeans, one of the premier American roots-rock bands, they forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies, and ringing guitars. That sound first surfaced on the group’s critically acclaimed, T-Bone Burnett produced 1986 debut, Love and Hope and Sex and Dreams. The album propelled the band onto the national spotlight as it broke into Billboard’s Top 100, aided by a touring slot with U2, an appearance on Robbie Robbertson’s self-titled debut solo album, and being named “Best New Band” by Rolling Stone magazine. |
