Search - Lonesome River Band :: Carrying the Tradition

Superb Bluegrass - not a bad cut on it - serious Bluegrass.

kosolinski@mceservices.com | USA | 08/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having listened to Bluegrass for over 40 years and the traditional sounds of Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers, the Lonesome River Band has proven once again the precision and beauty that is traditional Bluegrass. This CD has given us the pleasure of showcasing a young band that has all the power and drive of the best in Bluegrass history. The mix of the old with the new is wonderful and the songs tie themselves together with comfort and technical virtuosity. Keep this CD in the front of your collection because you are going to play it a lot."

Supercharged Bluegrass

Mark J. Fowler | Okinawa, Japan | 11/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Lonesome River Band at the time of this recording included Dan Tyminski on mandolin and lead vocals, complimenting Ronnie Bowman's voice. Alison Krauss wrote the liner notes for this CD and remarked on the magic way that those two voices blend - just a few years before hiring Dan to join her own Union Station. In the time since Dan has received as much acclaim as any male vocalist in Bluegrass, notably providing the singing voice for George Clooney in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"



The LRB changed personnel every couple of years, completely changing everyone except Sammy Shelor, who has played his hard-drivin' award winning banjo for them since 1990. Tim Austin on guitar completed the quartet for this version of the band and it is no understatement to say that this was an "All-Star" band: The Bluegrass equivalent of the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan of the same era.



"Carrying the Tradition" was an appropriate title because the style on this recording honored the roots of Bluegrass while still showcasing innovative arrangements that make you sit up and take notice. The first time I heard this band was on the radio - "The Game is Over" was being played and I remember thinking "I don't recognize this band - but they're as good as anyone in Bluegrass...." I rushed to the music store to get my hot little hands on this recording and couldn't wait to slip it into the car's player. "Sittin' On Top of the World" came roaring out and my eyes bugged out, my jaw dropped and I must have looked like something out of one of those old Tex Avery cartoons.



This album was a landmark for Bluegrass. Get it!"

Simply Put : Some of the Best Bluegrass ever recorded

BLPike@aol.com | Newburgh, IN | 01/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coming from a fan of both traditional and contemporary bluegrass, I can honestly say that this CD contains some of the best pickin' and singin' ever captured in a studio recording. Buy it, you won't be sorry, enough said."