Search - Perfect Strangers :: Perfect Strangers

Haunting old-timey/bluegrass blend

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 03/31/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Singer, songwriter, guitarist and fiddler Chris Brashear is originally from Massachusetts, now lives in Arizona, and has played with Laurie Lewis, Kentucky Rose, and The Frog Mountain Trio. When he recorded "Wanderlust" in the late 90s, he assembled some musicians that clicked. Wanderlust received good reviews, and the band decided to stay together as "The Perfect Strangers." The rest of the group is Bob Black (banjo), Jody Stecher (mandolin, fiddle), Peter McLaughlin (guitar), and Forrest Rose (bass). Peter McLaughlin was the 1998 National Flatpicking Guitar Champion. Bob Black was a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys from 1972-74 and has toured with Norman Blake and John Hartford. Multi-instrumentalist Jody Stetcher is well-known in bluegrass and old-time music circles for his work with Kate Brislin, Laurie Lewis, Arkansas Sheiks, and Any Old Time String Band. Jody and Kate's 1993 album (Our Town) and 1997 album (Heart Songs) were both Grammy nominees. Bass-player Forrest Rose has played with Bill Monroe, David Olney, Kenny Baker and a host of great Missouri fiddlers. The band is joined by guest Ed Neff (mandolin, fiddle) on four tracks.With seasoned vets like these guys, it was with much anticipation and interest that I put this album on the CD player. I had some high hopes for some music that would really pack a punch. Instead, I was left feeling a little sedated. Brashear's 3/4-time "Sing Me A Song" offers some triple fiddle and high, lonesome singing. I would've liked the vocals a little stronger in the mix, and at least a tenor harmony on the chorus. Stecher's bluesy rendition of the traditional "Roll On, John" has a lot of soul but seems an unlikely choice for an album's second cut. Finally, by the third track the Strangers serve up some hard-driving bluegrass with Utah Phillips' "Scofield Mine Disaster," a true story of a terrible mining accident in which over 200 died on May 1, 1900. Brashear then sings another fast self-penned plaintive ballad in waltz time, "Homeless Joe." Peter McLaughlin shows that he is also a storyteller with his "The Hermit Miner," about the lonesome life of a miner from Tennessee that came out to Arizona. The band does a good job on Kenny Baker's "Bluegrass in the Backwoods," and Chris, Bob, Jody and Peter each take a full break and get a chance to shine. Then, back to another 3/4-time ballad, Twenty One Years. Bob Black's "Canned By The Best" is best described as a novelty tune with a rather uninspired melody, sung by Bob. "Evening Shade" is a happy-go-luck and bouncy instrumental that features the twin fiddles of Chris and Jody. Yet another 3/4-time Chris Brashear ballad, "The Greatest Midwestern Fear" tells the true story of a tornado. So where's the hook? What the message? The full quartet's slow "If We Never Meet Again" lacks a certain togetherness in their execution. "Pineville Breakdown" is a spunky little tune with nice hustle. I enjoyed their vocals (Peter singing lead, with Chris and Jody stacked above) on "Fog On The Water." An uptempo "Wandering Boy" closes the project with Chris' solo singing, and the triple fiddles of Ed Neff, Chris and Jody. This album has some great moments, but I was left feeling a little disappointed. I suppose that I was expecting something different, perhaps something with a little more uptempo drive, smoother bluegrass vocals and inspiring lyrical messages. A plaintive traditional sound permeates this project, and I plan to give it some more listens in hopes that it will grow on me. The Perfect Strangers blend old-timey and bluegrass influences to create their own sound that is perfectly haunting, yet understated. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"

New Perfect Stangers CD

crbgrass2000 | Midwest, USA | 05/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a exciting moment when I put my new "Perfect Strangers" CD on and listened to it. I first heard Chris Brashear sing on his "Wanderlust" CD he did a few years ago. I am very glad the musicians from this project decided to stay together and continue to play. On this new CD you have in addition to Chris, Bob Black, Jody Stecher, Peter McLaughlin and Forrest Rose. All members are established first class musicians and singers. This album is a mixture of styles. It has traditional bluegrass, contemporary and old time country sounds well blended. Vocal songs are very well presented. The instrumentals are impressive. "Bluegrass In The Backwoods" is a masterpiece. Bob Blacks "Canned By The Best" is the true tale of his experiences in the music business as a sideman. "The Greatest Midwestern Fear" is a story about a twister tornado. I enjoy all the selections on the new CD and highly recommend it for your listening. I would catch these guys anytime you have the chance."