Search - Beat Farmers :: Van Go

An Oldie But a Great Album

Pamela Allison | San Diego | 11/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The reason for only 4 stars is pretty simple. This CD Should have 5 BIG Stars but the production value drops it to the point of "Where did you buy that Mr. Microphone Dude?" - HOWEVER, this is really worth buying just because Country Dick, Buddy Blue, Jerry Raney & Rolle Love do a great job - It's the production team that should have been taken behind the woodshed and beaten until they paid back every cent the band invested. The cut, Riverside has a unique quality and the lyrics are so unique to the S. CA mentality, mainly those souls familiar with the Inland Empire that for me, is and was special. Naturally Blue's Gunsale At The Church is a MUST HAVE song. Why this song has never become the Number ONE hit it should be, is a mystery. Country Dick shines in BIG UGLY WHEELS. We miss Country Dick, God bless him, he died with his boots on. Not the Beat Farmers best but compared to most of the hyped up junk out there, this album should be part of your collection."

A Roots-Rock Gem

Frederick J. Kokaska | San Diego, Ca USA | 10/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For better or for worse, the Beat Farmers are best known for the unique stylings of drummer/vocalist Country Dick Montana (rest in peace, Dick). But to write them off as a novelty band is a big mistake. Van Go contains some finely-crafted roots/rock tunes such as the tongue-in-cheek "Gunsale at the Church"; "Road of Ruin" has a folksey, Byrds-like groove, while "Riverside" and "Blue Cheverolet" are straight-ahead rockers. An upbeat cover of Neil Young's "Powderfinger" blends in well.A rough production quality gives the album a harsh tone, but the songwriting and musical performances overcome this minor technical setback."