Search - Ricky Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder :: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals

A tasteful tune set with several interpretive twists

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 12/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 47:32 -- I assumed that all eleven of these instrumentals were written by Ricky Skaggs because liner notes didn't provide tune credits. A little info from the label's publicist indicated that nine are new compositions by multiple Grammy award-winner Skaggs. Also, the CD jacket for this band's first-ever all-instrumental project has the entire seven-piece band on the cover, but a few of the regular members appear to be missing in the musical mix. Bios for Darrin Vincent and Paul Brewster are provided, but I don't see them listed in the credits. We do hear Ricky Skaggs (guitar, clawhammer banjo, mandolin, percussion), Jim Mills (banjo), Cody Kilby (guitar), Andy Leftwich (fiddle) and Mark Fain (bass). Guests include Jeff Taylor (accordion, whistle), Andy Statman (clarinet), and the Nashville String Machine with orchestration by Jim Gray on one cut.



No one can doubt the astonishing fluency with which these string practitioners speak. While they have a strong preference for moderate-tempo'ed offerings, they manage to create an eclectic state of musical mind with tastes of old-time, Celtic, bluegrass, Dawg, blues, jazz and classical idioms. Green hues of the Land of the Shamrock color compositions like "Going to Richmond" and "Goin to the Ceili." If a fusion of Celtic and Classical sounds are your cup o' tea, listen to the embellished brogue provided by the Nashville String Machine on "Crossing the Briney." With the band "playing their thoughts" in a manner similar to how fiddler Vassar Clements used to, "Missing Vassar" establishes a hillbilly jazz groove based on a recurring lick that honors that musical philosopher. With a copious amount of respect for another mandolinist (David Grisman), Ricky Skaggs and the boys lay a hot little tune, "Dawg's Breath," on us. The melody inhales and exhales with precision, bounce and pizzazz. When "Gallatin Rag" begins, as on a few others, we clearly hear the only minimal shortcoming in this album's music - some distraction caused by Ricky's pick on his fingerboard. Statman embellishes that offering with some euphonious clarinet. In Statman's hands, it becomes clear why the instrument was once affectionately called the "hot licorice stick" among swing musicians in the 1930s and 40s.



All in all, this album is a tasteful tune set with several interpretive twists along the way. Performed by exceptional musicians, the composite is a product that would make Bill Monroe proud. They don't betray their bluegrass pedigree. Rather, their adventurous vision provides a treasure trove of unique tunes. I'd like to see some music notation and/or tablature for them so I can learn a few favorites. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Great Instrumentals

H. Silver | Park Forest, IL | 08/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As one who thought Ricky Skaggs's "Brand New Strings" was a bit too mellow and lacked the usual bluegrass drive, I was pleased to hear the hard edge was back in this instrumental album. Although the instrumentation and feel is definitely bluegrass, it has a nice variety of tunes (major keys, minor keys, Appalachian, Celtic). A few of the tunes include non-bluegrass instruments, such as an accordian and/or a clarinet. In my opinion, it worked well, but I can see where a purist might find it disconcerting.



Two of the tunes ("Going to Ceili" and "Crossville") are also on the "Live at the Charleston Music Hall" album. I would have preferred either all new tunes, or make it a mega-album of all his instrumentals, including "Get Up, John," "Rawhide," "Amanda Jewell," and so on.



Definitely a great album for bluegrass fans."

Pretty good overall

James | Albuquerque, NM USA | 08/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, an all instrumental album from one of the hottest bands in bluegrass! After seeing them recently in concert I couldn't wait to get my hands on this recording. It did not disappoint, for the most part. The picking is phenomenal all across the board, with taste and musicality taking presidence over pure hot licks. However, some of the tunes really just don't do it for me. They feel kinda dry. That being said there sure are some golden moments. Jeff Taylor has some great accordion solos that surpass his work on the Charleson live cd. The star of this recording, in my opinion, is Cody Kilby. I've never heard such a full, driving, clean sound like that. There is something about the way this guy plays that just makes the group sound fuller and drive more when he solos. Its an instant change. Favorite cuts: "Crossville" "Goin to the Ceili" " "Wayward to Hayward" and "Polk City"."