Search - Newfound Road :: Somewhere Between

Straight-ahead contemporary bluegrass with all the trimmings

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 33:29 -- I've paid close attention to the music of NewFound Road because I'm convinced that, with some luck and a few breaks along the way, they have the sound that will lead them to bluegrass stardom. Previous gospel albums from this group have been eye-openers. "Somewhere Between" now gives us an exceptionally solid performance of genuine and solid bluegrass. This is their best album yet. Sure to get the attention of the bluegrass community, this head-snapper CD features inspired picking, emotional singing, and a powerful set of new and uncommon material. Songs from Darren McGuire, Tom T. Hall, Larry Sparks, Tom Uhr, Judy Marshall, and others are interspersed with the band's own originals. "That's How I Got To Memphis," "It's Raining the Blues," "Love at First Light," and "Somewhere Between" are some of my favorite songs on the album. Despite the source of each song, the NewFound Road approach incorporates breathtaking instrumental work with emotionally-evocative lead singing and harmonies.



NewFound Road is Tim Shelton (guitar), Tim Caudill (bass), Rob Baker (mandolin) and Junior Williams (banjo). Shelton achieved a fair amount of acclaim with his solo album, I Stand Amazed. Caudill's versatility has found him much session work in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Baker won a share of the 2001 IBMA Entertainer of the Year award as a member of Rhonda Vincent's band. Williams primarily picks the banjo but he also plays some guitar on this project. He spent six years touring with The Bishops, a popular southern Gospel group. Guest fiddler Jim VanCleve rounds out NewFound Road's sound, and I quickly noticed his absence on one cut, "Don't Be Gone." This project will surely launch NewFound Road to a new level, and I highly recommend this album to fans of straight-ahead contemporary bluegrass with all the trimmings. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Somewhere Between

J. Ross | 01/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The new recording is an awesome showpiece of acoustic music. This new band offers something for any fan of bluegrass, gospel, americana. The songs range from fiery, blistering bluegrass style to lovely, softer arrangements, to soul-stirring gospel performances like their rendition of "Rock of Ages". NewFound Road is one of the best new vocal groups to come down the pike in a long time. A great CD for anyone that likes great music!"

New Found Road skips the detour.

Brett Lemke | www.maximumink.com | 07/04/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Using the traditional bluegrass instrumentation of guitar, banjo, mandolin, and string bass, New Found Road incorporates an Appalachian old-tyme sound with traditional Country and Bluegrass tunes. The result is a fury of twangy plectrum madness that is lighter on the low end than many of their contemporaries. Purists who fear Rock & Roll rhythms will find solace with "Somewhere Between" for this reason, as the bass and banjo fill and roll respectively differing from new-school variations on a 1-4-5. While the Marshall family and the late Jimmy Martin are obvious influences, traces of Celtic Ballads can also be heard between their three-part vocal harmonies. New Found Road consists of Rob Baker on mandolin and vocals, Tim Caudill on upright bass and vocals, Tim Shelton on guitar & vocals, and Jr. Williams on banjo and vocals, and Jim Vanclave on fiddle. (...)"