Sherman Downey and The Ambiguous Case

“On a cold snowy January morning Sherman Downey and his band, the Ambiguous Case, packed their instruments into an unmarked van and set out from Corner Brook to make the 8 hour trek cross the icy Newfoundland highway to St. John’s. The reason – to celebrate the release of his first solo recording “Honey For Bees”.” - CBC - Intimate House Concert in St. John’s

I hate using the word “fun” to describe music, but this album is exactly that. It is the kind of music I want to turn up loud while cooking dinner, the kind that gets played in the morning just so I can smile despite the darkness and chill of a winter morning. One of the biggest determining factors of fun music is if I can dance around to it in my underwear a la Cameron Diaz in Charlies Angels (if only I looked like that). But seriously, this is underwear dancing worthy especially the songs “Soulsweeping”, “Mud Jacket”, and “Church Mouse”. - New Music Collaborative

I hate using the word “fun” to describe music, but this album is exactly that. It is the kind of music I want to turn up loud while cooking dinner, the kind that gets played in the morning just so I can smile despite the darkness and chill of a winter morning. One of the biggest determining factors of fun music is if I can dance around to it in my underwear a la Cameron Diaz in Charlies Angels (if only I looked like that). But seriously, this is underwear dancing worthy especially the songs “Soulsweeping”, “Mud Jacket”, and “Church Mouse”. - New Music Collaborative

by Natascha Malta (Music Vice)

The LP is called Honey For Bees – an appropriate title, because whether he’s singing about death, failed loves, or lustful cougars; he treats them all with an uncommon sweetness. The lyrics in the liner notes have been handwritten with the chord changes to play along with. The rare inclusion is a nice gift for listeners, and just the beginning of the small town sincerity that infuses this album.

(For full review please follow the link) - Music Vice

Best of 2010!
The Broken Speaker.com
“A nice mug full of hot coffee can be exactly what one needs to start their day right. Newfoundland’s Sherman Downey and his debut album Honey for Bees have a similar effect. The album is chock full of positive vibes from beginning to the end. The way the vocals are delivered with some spunk and happiness, banjo, a little mild yodeling here and there, and soft percussion all give the listener a sense that Sherman loves what he does.”
(Click Link to read full review) - The Broken Speaker

...Refreshing to write a review on music I dig. I am hearing lots of interesting movements. Liking the little conversation of who should sing next. Great drumming, fun music and great lyrics. My girlfriend says you sound like Paul Simon, I think thats pretty cool. I hate to just give a thumbs up with no critique but its hard to think of how you could improve the tune. - Garageband, Joa Gloor, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Paul Simon meets Canned Heat - yeh, I heard the latter in the electric guitar which is really cool. Love the acoustic guitar the most. Vocals - great voice - very appealing - should make $$ off of that voice. Competent performances throughout. Just the right amount of camp. Short and sweet, well thought out - a winner! - Tha Histrioniks, Baltimore, Maryland

Excellent dynamic work, good feel and good lyrics. Paul Simon-feel. Very competent. Good acoustic guitar work which is hard to mix in with a full band sound with drums. Reminds me a little of Bruce Cockburn with a full band. Vocals are outstanding and the lead vocal should be on the radio. - John Gregor - Brno, Czech Republic

The vocals are truly beautiful. I found the lyrics really interesting and engaging. Overall a poignant, quirky track that rings emotional bells in me – I felt like I could relate to the content. I’d like to hear more from this band! - Rosie Burgess - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

You've taken simple changes and added a lot to them - a great melody and a very interesting guitar riff that makes use of harmonics in a way that I haven't heard since the early days of 1970s experimental folk!! Your voice is absolutely heavenly - I'm a male vocalist who tends to sing more jazz than anything else and can only wish I had such a clean and perfect tone like the one you execute with such flawless ease!! - Jonathon Bright and the Printing Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

You're conjuring the ghost of John Gorka here...oh no, wait, he's not dead yet. His lyrics are often so tightly constructed with assonances and alliterations that it's like listening to a row of dominoes go down: clack clack clack clack clack. I hear that here. Truly amazing lyrical invention here, it's quite exhilarating to follow. Bravo. - Aaron English - Seattle, Washington

This song creates such an outstanding picture. This performance evokes so many emotions. I've often thought that a great song, film, or painting is about one moment...and all that lies within that one moment. This song captures that. - Briana Lynn - Nashville, Tennessee

By Ryan Belbin

Remember this name: Sherman Downey. The Codroy Valley native has been playing music for quite a while, but his first album, Honey For Bees, is going to turn him into a household name. With thick dreadlocks and a disarming stage presence, Downey unexpectedly puts you at ease. Honey For Bees is a collection of original sounding, feel-good music that will actually put you in a better mood, unlike the current crop of cookie-cutter pop music that gives you a brief high and a rough crash. Downey is clearly having so much fun on the album that his happiness is infectious. The songs are simple enough for anyone to appreciate. It’s infused with stellar musicianship woven with rather magnificent lyrics that somehow turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Downey’s band, the Ambiguous Case, creates an acoustic rock arrangement that works. He exhibits guitar mastery as well as expert whistling and yodelling. The record has a foot-stomping country groove, but it cannot be easily classified. Songs like “Indifferences Lay Waiting” lean towards a more acoustic direction, while there are elements of bluegrass, pop, and rock within the layers of his other songs that creates a satisfying piece of work. It’s too bad that at only 35 minutes long, Honey For Bees is not much longer than an EP, but it still gives a very good taste of what we can expect from Sherman Downey. It’s a great thing when, after listening to an album, you want to hear more. If you do, check out his official CD release on Jan. 15 at the Ship Inn.
- The Muse