An album chalked with talent, variety and a whole lot of fun
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A REVIEW FROM KIM LOFTIS - Thunderin' Bluegrass is an album chalked with talent, variety and a whole lot of fun. The first thing that I noticed was the really creative way in which this record was produced... because of the fact that there were no overdubs or second takes, it feels as if the band is in the room with you as you listen to this album. It's a really delightful touch to a delightful project.
As somebody who was born and raised in the southern US, with a father who has always cherished a "story song", I couldn't help gaining his love for "story songs" myself over the years. Maybe that's another reason this album is so endearing to me. It's packed with a variety of such songs.
The album begins with Joe Ross' original, "She Has a Gypsy Heart", a sad but equally danceable little song about lost love. Next is "Those Memories of You", a melancholy piece on which Susan delivers a very memorable vocal performance. Joe's spirited arrangement of "Mandolin King Rag" follows, exuding a bit of a ragtime feel and some terrific solos! "Copenhagen, Beechnut and Skoal" is a lot of fun to listen to, and as on every other cut, it sounds like the musicians were having a grand ol' time recording this one. Next is Joe's touching "Mother's Songs", a beautiful little number that I think many mothers' children can relate to in some way. Side one ends with "On Down the Line", a song I've always loved, and which, like all the other pieces found here, is given a really delightful treatment by Cold Thunder.
Side two opens with Joe's lovely original, "My Heart Remembers Yesterday." This song is one of my favorites on the album. The chord progression and lyrics caught my attention immediately on listening, and the wistful nature of this piece pulls at my heartstrings each time I hear it. The band's take on "wayfaring Stranger" is beautiful, and the tune "Little Rabbit" is delivered here with tons of energy and talent.
I must give special attention to their cover of Jim Croce's timeless song "Age." Again, I must think of my dad when listening to this song, as Croce is one of his heroes, and subsequently became one of mine as well. This is such a nice and different take on a classic song, and I applaud the band for adding this one to the album. But I'm biased. Terrific job with this one!
"Why You Been Gone So Long" has an irresistible chorus that tends to stick in my head and leave me singing it for hours, while "Little Whitewashed Chimney" is likely to bring a tear to the eye. The final cut, "Battle of New Orleans", is a song I've always enjoyed, and this is an entirely unique spin on it. You can distinctly hear the broad smile in Joe's voice as he delivers the verses. What fun!
To conclude, this is a delightful, very well done and fun-filled album. There are wonderful originals here, and some great arrangements of classics as well. I enjoy listening to it often, and am sure others, whether they are bluegrass fans or not, will as well! Definitely give this one a try! Very highly recommended! (Kim Loftis, Burnsville, NC EMAIL kll2277 [at] hotmail.com)
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Track Listings (13) - Disc #1