Search - Due West :: These Boots

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Nathan Crabtree | Hickory, NC United States | 07/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD because my local Bluegrass station was playing the title track a lot. You know how on some CDs there are a few songs you like and you skip past the others? You won't press "Skip" when you hear this one! I like every track. I like fast songs and there are plenty here. The slow songs are good, too. You won't be disappointed."

Tight harmonies, storytelling, polished high energy 'grass

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is full of BLUEGRASS. The type various associations are sworn to preserve. The type that bluegrass traditionalists openly love, and that those who prefer contemporary bluegrass will "sneak" into their collections. Due West consists of Jim Nunnally (guitar, vocals), Erik Thomas (mandolin, vocals), Bill Evans (banjo, vocals), Chad Madding (fiddle), and Cindy Browne (bass). The high energy of this recording makes me visualize the type of stage show that Rhonda Vincent performs. I have not had the opportunity to see Due West perform, but I would hope that their entertainment value matches that of their musicianship.At just under 40 minutes, this CD is a quick listen. Four of the twelve songs are instrumentals, and although every one of these folks are outstanding pickers, this is not where they shine. It is their tight harmonies and the story telling abilities of both Jim Nunnally and Erik Thomas that grab your attention. That said, the instrumental Mexicali Moonshine is over five minutes of Caribbean flavored FUN!Throughout the CD, the fiddle playing of Chad Manning outshines everything (and everyone) else. Bassist Cindy Browne adds some great bass lines. She is responsible for putting the "walk" in the title track "These Boots Were Made For Walking". Bill Evans is, as always, quite tasteful with his banjo playing, and the author of both instrumentals "Dakota" and "Cumberland Furnace". Jim Nunnally adds his original "The Good Times We Never Had", and Chad Manning contributes his "Sandy Marsh/Fast Ruby". The other tunes are cover tunes that have been twisted, molded, and polished into songs that are recognizable but now have an unmistakable "Due West" flavor of their own. (Kathy Boyd, Ground Zero Sound & Promotions)"

Contemporary bluegrass that really shines instrumentally

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Due West is a contemporary bluegrass band with some hot pickers: Jim Nunally (guitar), Erik Thomas (mandolin), Bill Evans (banjo), Chad Manning (fiddle) and Cindy Browne (bass). They open this project with a bouncy rendition of Nunally singing "These Boots Are Made For Walking," a classic rock song made famous by Nancy Sinatra. Nunally probably does his best vocally on his own self-penned and bluesy "The Good Times We Never Had" and hard-driving but folksy "Gotta Travel On." The band's other lead singer is Erik Thomas who sings five of the songs. He offers a contemporary love song (Virginia Rose), a Dwight Yoakam country cover (The Heart That You Own), a haunting modal tune (Does My Ring Burn Your Finger?), and some traditional numbers (Are You Alone, Travelling the Highway Home). Nunally and Thomas both have pleasant bluegrass voices, with Nunally singing with considerable energy and oomph, but I wouldn't call either of them knock-your-socks-off singers.The band is quite successful by virtue of their instrumental prowess and journeyman attention to technique and arrangement. All the band members pick cleanly and with a togetherness that strives for a good cohesive band sound. Guitar playing has been in Nunally's family for three generations. Jim was awarded a Grammy certification for his playing on the 1996 bluegrass album of the year "True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe." He also plays with John Reischman and the Jaybirds. From Virginia, Bill Evans is one of the nation's top banjo players, having established his reputation playing in such bands as Cloud Valley, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and Bluegrass Intentions. He also does a solo show called "The Banjo in America." Evans' unique style exhibits creativity and innovation. California native Erik Thomas is known for his work with Feather River, The Bluegrass Philharmonic, Brushy Peak, and the Erik Thomas Band. He's won several mandolin contests and has recorded on albums for various bay area bluegrass musicians. Chad Manning first learned to play fiddle in Spokane, and subsequently won numerous contests. Chad has been a member of the Scott Nygaard Band, and he has played gigs with many others. Manning, Nunally and Evans all currently play in the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience. Finally, bassist Cindy Browne has performed and recorded with several well-known jazz artists, and at festivals throughout the world. She also performs with guitarist Mimi Fox, and tours with Wake the Dead. She holds a Masters Degree in classical/jazz performance from Washington State University, gives private lessons, and teaches at Las Positas College in Livermore, California.Despite the high quality of bluegrass out west, that region has often had somewhat of an image problem within the eyes of the national bluegrass community. Due West is yet another example that shows that Californians are quite capable of skillfully picking as well as the players Back East. Due West's greatness and technical credibility are most apparent when one tunes into their multi-hued instrumental palate. Original compositions like Bill Evans' "Dakota" and Erik Thomas' "Mexicali Moonshine" really allow these string wizards to shine. Chad Manning's medley of a Celtic-sounding "Sandy Marsh" followed by new-timey "Fast Ruby (The Slowest Mule)" is another instrumental highlight of this project. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"