Search - Rhonda Vincent :: Back Home Again

Returning to her Bluegrass Roots

Tom Korkidis | Boston, MA | 02/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a departure from her traditional roots Rhonda Vincent returns with quite an amazing recording. From first listen you realize that this women has one of the most distinctive and beautiful voices in bluegrass today. She actually makes this recording a family affair. Vincent's father, Johny, and her brother, Darrin, do quite a spectacular job with vocal harmonies. Vincents mandolin playing also shines through and shows this woman's complete versatility. Her interpretation of classics like Dollie Parton's "Jolene" and Jimmy Martin's "Pretending I Don't Care" are gems on this recording. Vincent has truly returned with Back Home Again, and shows once again that she is one of the most talented women in bluegrass."

Rhonda Is Home

Steven Washburn | Berlin, New Hampshire | 01/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the new Rounder release "Back Home Again"; Rhonda is exactly that. After the middle 90's dab in Country Music, Rhonda has come home to her bread & butter. With the opening track "Lonesome Wind Blues", you can tell immediatly that this girl means business. Hard drivin' Bluegrass music at its best. There are of course, lighter or softer songs such as "Little Angels" & "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are." One song included here is called "Passing Of The Train" This song was first released off her 1993 CD "Written In The Stars" This version however, has a different feel to it. As Rhonda described it to me, "A Boogie Woogie" type of song. Her rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene", should make Dolly very proud. I have had the opportunity to see Rhonda live with her band "The Rage" They are just as good live as they are on this CD. My three favorite tracks are (1) "You're In My Heart"; (2) "You're Running Wild" & (3) "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are". Come to think of it, we are all very lucky to have Rhonda back in Bluegrass Music Full Time. And really, all the tracks on this CD are my favorites. Rhonda's time has come. She is destined for greatness & superstardom. Rhonda is definitely "Back Home Again." (5+ Stars)"

Every Note Rings True - A Must Have

Don Thomason | Dunbar, KY United States | 01/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of 2000's best releases, Vincent's return to bluegrass after a foray into country shows her powerful, clear voice in its best light. Not that Vincent was a bad country singer -- she's a good one -- but she masters the nuances of bluegrass singing, and her performances have more impact for it. Where Alison Krauss and Dale Ann Bradley are ethereal, Vincent holds fire along with her clear tones. Her driving version of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is worth the price of admission alone, her conviction in the song's plea nearly stealing one of Dolly's best songs. But Vincent coveys a full range of emotion, from heartfelt (Carl Jackson's arresting "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are") to heartbreaking (the tale of child molestation's aftermath "Little Angels") to simple beauty (the Louvin Brothers' "Out of Hand"). And when Rhonda sings the unexpectedly high "All aboard!" note on "Passing of the Train," she drags your heart up and makes tears well in your eyes. Jon Weisberger's liner notes describe Vincent best: "Few . . . combine such command and finesse with open-throated power and an intensity of feeling that is almost shocking in its directness and candor." Back Home Again is a must-have for bluegrass, country, or Americana fans."