This is bluegrass
DrewE | Brevard,NC USA | 11/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like bluegrass at all, and even if you don't, you need this cd. The original material on this one is unbelievable and sounds as if they were written back in the old days by Monroe or Scruggs. Woody Platt is an amazing vocalist and keeps a great rythm on the guitar in every song. The only complaint I have about his lead playing is there isn't enough of it! Mike Guggino is one of the most overlooked mandolin players out there. His breaks often alternate between a perfect rendition of the Monroe style and original licks that put him at the level of the greats like Monroe, McCoury, and Skaggs. Graham Sharp is an amazing banjo player, but his contribution of more than half the songs on this one shows his great overall musicianship. Charles Humphrey lays down a great bass beat and also penned some of the material. Both Humphrey and Graham earned nods in the IBMA songwriter showcase. Nicky Sanders plays flawlessly on the fiddle, using traditional and revolutional licks, he should be considered in the very near future as a contender for fiddler of the year. And don't try to stump him on world capitals, he knows them all...literally.
One of the best things about this band is that, depsite their recent success, they all remain very approachable and easy to talk to. They always spend time signing autographs and just chatting with fans after the shows (something Ricky Skaggs needs to learn!!!!!) and still take their precious days off to teach lessons on various instruments.
All in all, this is my favorite cd and I definately encourage you all to pick up this one, as well as their other releases Mr. Taylor's New Home and a self-titled cd. Also, see them live, they will absolutely blow you away! Check them out at steepcanyon.com for info and merchandise!"
All the necessary ingredients to make a significant long-ter
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 10/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Playing Time - 35:24 -- While only in their 20s, the bluegrass music of The Steep Canyon Rangers is that more commonly found being played by much more experienced and well-seasoned veterans. With the production assistance of Mike Bub and label support of Rebel Records, these guys are climbing the ladder to stardom quickly. There's always room for solid, young bands with traditional chops and original material. The band members have known each other for less than a decade, and they began as a band about 1999 while students at UNC in Chapel Hill. Since their debut album, their lineup has added Californian Nicky Sanders (fiddle, vocals). A smakrt move to have a permanent fiddler in the folkd. The other band members are Woody Platt (guitar, vocals), Mike Guggino (mandolin, vocals), Graham Sharp (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Charles R. Humphrey III (bass). Now playing full-time since 2001, the band has been able to "cross-market," representing the burgeoning bluegrass genre at venues and events that might not normally include this type of music. So, in a sense, the SCRs are amabassadors of bluegrass who are bringing a younger demographic to the music.
Like their debut album on Rebel, this release has originals from Humphrey ("Ghost of Norma Jean" and "Restless Night") and Sharp ("Waiting to Hear You Call My Name," "Slow Burn," I'll Be Long Gone," "Hold On," "Big Cypoophus, "Green Eyed Lady, "Yesterday's Blues"). They're spirited and tastefully rendered in fine bluegrass style, both instrumentally and vocally. Lyrics are delivered with intensity and emotion. The picking is also immediately appealing. Why, Sharp even fingerpicks the guitar for the plaintive and bluesy "Green Eyed Lady." Recording in a circle around a couple microphones, the band was able to capture their natural blend and intensity. The technique also illustrates how cohesive the band has become.
"The Ghost of Norma Jean" is a spooky tale that continues where "Norma Jean" from their last album left off. Many of their originals speak of pain, suffering and despair, mainly from love gone wrong. And keeping with that theme, the title track (written by Dottie Bruce and Jerry Chesnut) was originally recorded by country musician Del Reeves. Maybe they ought to consider some bluegrass covers of Del's "Be Quiet Mind" or "Lookg at the World thrugh a Windshield" on a future project. Jason Carter adds the fine twin fiddling on "Evangeline." A splendid showcase of their a capella quartet, "I Can't Sit Down" was written by Wade Mainer.
The band had been thinking of doing a live album, but I'm glad to see this as a studio production. At the same time, the efficacy is built on a foundation of power and strength. I'd eventually like to see an all-gospel project from The Steep Canyon Rangers. Nominated for IBMA's Emerging Artist of the Year award, they have all the necessary ingredients to make a significant long-term mark on the bluegrass genre. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
"
Harmony and Lyrics!
Robert R. Lyon | Olney, Maryland | 08/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is often said that Bluegrass music(and country too)is all about the lyrics and harmony. This CD gets an A+ for each!!Truly an outstanding CD by a group of wonderful young people
who are outstanding pickers, singers and performers (we recently
got to meet them and hear them perform for a week on the Delta Queen Bluegrass Steamboat river cruise. In addition to the above, the Rangers do a great job of meeting and greeting fans and making new friends. A particular and unique quality of the Rangers is that that they write a good deal of their own music.
Nicky Sanders (Fiddle), Woody Platt (vocals,guitar), Mike Guggino (mandolin) and Charles Humphrey (bass)are as good individually as the are together and the "togetherness" of this group is another stong plus! Great harmony and a wide and varied range on
all types of contempory and "old time" bluegrass...upbeat pickin and singin, ballads and gospal and a fine a cappella number,"I can't Sit Down". Particular highlites on this CD are
"Waiting To Hear You Call My Name", "One Dime at A Time", "I'll
Be Long Gone" and "Restless Nights". As a noted Bluegrass expert from the state of Kentucky has stated, "this young group
is at the top of the barrel"!They are sure to win many future awards starting with this years IBMA awards in September. This CD is a must have for any and all fans of traditional and contempory bluegrass!! It just does not get any better that this!!
"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1