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What a beautiful album !

Eric Herni | Almere Netherlands | 05/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great bluegrass album from this new band, called Kane's River. Eleven beautiful songs and some of them priceless gems. Julie Elkins (former New Vintage) and John Lowell have great voices and Jerry Nettuno (wrote "Three Rusty Nails" a few years back with Ronnie Bowman)and Dave Thompson write terrific songs. What can I say: it's very, very, very beautiful. If you like Alison Krauss, Claire Lynch or Jeanette Williams you will really like a cool dive in Kane's River. "This Whole World", "Billy Austin", "In Your Hands" and (most of all) "Sea Of South Dakota" are the best of the best on this album. Don't wait, just buy and enjoy."

Best bluegrass cd of 2001

Keri Helmer | Cary, N.C. USA | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't take Kane's River out of my cd player! We got this cd last year for Christmas and have since bought several copies to give to friends and family. Outstanding vocals and instrumentation, interesting arrangements and extraordinary original material. An absolute must for the collection of any fan of great music. Great bluegrass/Americana with a refreshing twist. Highly recommended!"

Clever songs, exhilarating presentation

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Montana may not be considered a bluegrass hotbed, but that is home for a quartet calling itself Kane's River. Originally known as "Deep River," the band was formed in 1994. They changed their name in 1999 to avoid confusion with another band performing under that name. Kane's River refers to an eccentric Montana mountain man named Kane Fisher. The band now includes four veteran musicians who have cut their teeth with some fine groups. Guitarist John Lowell played with Loose Ties and Wheel Hoss. Mandolinist Jerry Nettuno was formerly with Highstrung. Banjo-player Julie Elkins has professional performance experience with Wheel Hoss and New Vintage. Along with John, bassist Dave Thompson is an original member and co-founder of Kane's River. Once the group's lineup was solidified, they decided to get more serious and expand their horizons. Doobie Shea Records' Tim Austin heard the band and asked them to record this project for his label. Guest artists include Rob Ickes (dobro-4 cuts), Jason Thomas (fiddle-9 cuts), and Dan Tyminski (conga-1 cut, rhythm guitar-1 cut)Besides having highly proficient musicians, the trick to a band creating a signature sound is to find good new, refreshing material, and then to arrange and present it in a creative way. Of the album's eleven songs, all but two are originals. The album's optimistic opener, "This Whole World," is a driving song that challenges one to seize the day. "All That's Left For Me" has a catchy bluegrass melody, and Julie Elkins' delivers it in a fine workmanlike style with her delicate and airy voice. The band is equally comfortable with original bluegrass gospel material, "Talk to God" and "In Your Hands." A smooth rendition of "Sea of South Dakota" is an excellent showcase of the band's vocal harmonies, while their sizzling instrumental prowess shines on "Scowlin' John." Being from the wide open west, it seems appropriate that John Lowell sings a couple tunes about outlaws, Steve Earle's "Billy Austin" and the traditional ballad, "Cole Younger." The original, "Take Me Back Home," presents a common bluegrass theme, but from the perspective of residents of the Bitter Root State (Montana) with its images of fence posts, hills, a barn, tractor, wind, trees, family and the big sky. Lowell's low tenor and Nettuno's baritone lay in nicely below Elkins' lead vocals on this folksy piece. And perhaps the strongest original is Lowell's "Pray for Rain," in which a failing relationship and burning bridges are in need of rain to heal the wounds.Kane's River is an excellent band with a lot of imagination stemming from the band members' varied influences. With the same pioneer spirit of Montana's early settlers, they are resourceful in their approach to music. Their songs are clever, and the band's presentation of them is exhilarating. Clearly, Kane's River enjoys writing, arranging and playing music as an artistic and creative outlet as much as their fans will thrill in listening to it on this well-produced debut album. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"