Search - Nothin Fancy :: Once Upon a Road

Mighty fine, solidly executed contemporary bluegrass

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 02/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A hardworking contemporary band from Virginia, Nothin' Fancy has been together since 1994. Over the years, their personalized original sound has built them a legion of followers. Nothin' Fancy is comprised of singer/songwriter Mike Andes (mandolin), Mitchell Davis (banjo), Gary Farris (guitar), Tony Shorter (bass), and Chris Sexton (fiddle) who joined the group in 1998. Guest artists on this album include Clay Hess (rhythm guitar), Jesse Wells (frailing banjo on "Fallen To My Foe"), and David Kazee (piano on "Once Upon A Road"). Mike Andes' originals comprise two-thirds of the songs on this project. "I'm Running Away" opens the album with a song of rambling and hope for the future. His "Fallen To My Foe" is a Civil War ballad, in a minor key, that speaks of bravery on the battlefield. "You Say I Say" is a well-written song with two perspectives about lost love, the bottomline being "she don't love you anymore." Tales of groups who have experienced miracles and give thanks to their Savior are documented in "The Light Came Shining Down." Andes also writes about more contemporary themes, desertion and homelessness and old age, in "Sign of the Times," which also features Chris Sexton on cello. Sexton's preference for a five-string fiddle also adds to the Nothin' Fancy sound, with some occasional low bows and fills. There's a nice hook in the love-growing-cold song, "Something's Up We're Going Down." Mike Andes is equally adept at writing instrumentals, and his "Graveltown Road" is a bouncy Celtic-sounding piece. The gospel original, "When the Angels Take My Hand" gives Sexton and Davis a chance to play some hard-driving bluegrass fiddle and banjo. Besides their original material, another band strength is clearly their nicely-blended and arranged vocals, with Mike's lead vocals, and Gary and Tony's harmonies. Mitchell adds bass on the a cappella quartet, "Do Not Pass Me By." Nothin' Fancy has all the necessary elements to bring them success. Despite the whimsical nature of their band name, this album is mighty fine and skillfully executed. If you take a "fancy" to solid, contemporary bluegrass, then Nothin' Fancy's album will be met with considerable listening pleasure. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"

Excellent Bluegrass

James W. Ellis | Richmond, VA United States | 05/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent Bluegrass Album with song written by Tom T. & Dixie Hall the highlight of the Album. Traditional instrumental sound without to much nasal twang found in some more traditional bands. A lot of well written material from the band members. This is a toe tapper."