My favorite instrumental record
06/15/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've listened to this record AT LEAST 300 times. The first two tracks are my favorite instrumentals. All the players on this record, including Bela Fleck and Mark O'Connor, are extraordinary musicians.Put this on at your next dinner party. Within the first four tracks, someone will say, 'What is this music and where do I get it?' I've given away at least two dozen copies of this record and everyone has loved it."
Russ Barenberg is a guitar god!
Joe Brush | Chicago, Illinois United States | 10/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been Russ Barenberg fan since his work on Skip, Hop, and Wobble. There is a clean openess to his playing on all he does, from almost roots Bluegrass to more contemporary modes. This is GREAT driving music, specifically away from major urban centers. Sometimes I become afraid that it almost borders on easy listening, but since there are no wind instruments and the bluegrass is always there, there are no problems. It is bluegrass, but cleaner, perhaps a little less gutsy but no less passionate. It avoids the hummingbird and ballad quality that can become a little (just a little) tiring in traditional bluegrass.
If you are looking for music that sings without words, look for anything using Russ Barenberg."
Good, Ok and Acceptable
M. Yarus | Boulder, CO United States | 02/14/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"But not great. These tunes are harmonically and rhythmically four-square and straightforward. Hearing them once is plenty (OK, twice). On the other hand, if you want to hear the GREAT Russ Barenberg catch him on Skip, Hop and Wobble (which is what brought me to his solo work) where the stellar environment inspires him to play to that exalted standard.****This is a revision to accompany my upgrade to 4 stars. This is still not profound music, but infectious it is, absolutely, and the CD keeps ending up in my player. Better than I first thought."