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Same River Twice by Kane's River

09/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Same River Twice" is the second project to be released by one of the brightest rising stars to emerge on the bluegrass scene in recent years - Kane's River. Hailing from the Bozeman, Montana area, Kane's River is a refreshing mix of talent, energy, drive and creativity who brought together years of experience and musical maturity to garner national acclaim with their self-titled debut recording in 2000. The band rapidly topped the charts that year, gained a reputation for trailblazing a new, refreshing approach to bluegrass music, became instant favorites with critics and fans alike, and has since maintained a level of success that is rarely enjoyed by many bands with their broad musical range and appeal.
"Same River Twice" is an eclectic collection of songs ranging from straight-ahead, classic bluegrass to shades of Celtic, blues and folk. The band creates a tight, fresh and exciting sound by combining their vast musical talents with their original and impressive songwriting skills, fiery renditions of the classics, masterful musicianship, soulful lead vocals and polished, soaring harmonies. With all five members being songwriters of significant note, Kane's River collectively wrote 12 of the 15 songs included on this recording, which fuses a deep respect for traditional bluegrass with tasteful influence from an assortment of musical genres, and promises to be one of the top releases of the year.
Tim Stafford of Blue Highway and Alison Krauss & Union Station fame says it all..."Kane's River is more than different -- they're intelligent, original, versatile and virtuosic. And they're simply among the very best modern bluegrass bands out there.""

Kane's River has a knack for innovative bluegrass

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Original songs from four of the five members of Kane's River make up the majority of their third album, "Same River Twice," a title inspired by a quote from Greek philosopher Heraclitus who used paradoxes to demonstrate that the world is in a constant state of flux. He argued that even the hills were changing, just too slowly for people to readily notice. His "same old river" metaphor can also be applied to bluegrass music. Because bluegrass is flowing, growing and in a state of flux, it is impossible to ever step into the same river of music twice. Kane's River's approach has been fluid, and each of their three albums have built on their last. The Kane's River channel and direction have remained, although the water that flows within has developed continually. Those who study the principles and laws of the universe will agree that this Montana-based band's cosmic balance is moving them quickly towards bluegrass stardom. Kane's River is John Lowell (guitar), Julie Elkins (banjo, guitar), David Thompson (bass), Ben Winship (mandolin), and Jason Thomas (fiddle). All but Thomas are the band's vocalists and songwriters. Other featured songsmiths on this project include Mike and Jan Dowling, David Francey, Donald Devanney and Tony Furtado. Formed in 1994, the band, originally known as "Deep River," changed their name in 1999 to avoid confusion with another band calling itself "Deep River." Kane Fisher, an eccentric Montana mountain man, is the band's namesake, and its members have previous experience with such notable bluegrass groups as Loose Ties, Wheel Hoss, and New Vintage. Since their last album, Kane's River's mandolinist, Jerry Nettuno, appears to have left the band and has been replaced by Ben Winship.Kane's River has a contemporary bluegrass sound with influences of folk, blues, Celtic, jazz and world music. "Hey Spikedriver" has a driving classic bluegrass feel while "Sailing Nowhere" incorporates Winship's octave mandolin and a lyrical Celtic melody. "Richmond" is a folksy ballad with a common theme of longing for home. Just when you think you've got them pegged, a twisted instrumental like "Foisted Possum" is slyly inserted into the program. Impressively, the band showcases three lead vocalists with Elkins, Lowell and Winship.Kane's River has a knack for innovative bluegrass. Their original music is skillful and clever, and the five musicians demonstrate a superior ability to present it in an intelligent, listener-friendly fashion. I just hope that this band's eclectic nature doesn't, in fact, hurt them from developing a prime signature sound that is immediately recognizable as Kane's River. They clearly can do it all, and "Same River Twice" emphasizes the fact that Kane's River is a total package. They're on the move, and despite the laws of gravity, Kane's River is flowing upward to new heights. If they gain inspiration from philosophy, we should recall that Heraclitus also argued that fire was the primal substance from which the universe and all matter formed. We see that fire still burning today in the music of Kane's River. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"

Best yet from this endearing group

J. Ross | 10/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is actually their 3rd album (at least that i'm aware of...the 1st would be under the group name of "deep river." which name had to be abandoned for some quasi legal reason).i've seen them twice since 2001 at a nearby festival in idaho.this is a group that seems to have it all. virtuosity and understated tastefulness. some wonderful songwriting. the top of my list is "this little town." although a studio album, same river twice captures for me the liveliness and heart that you see in person."