Appalachian musical diversity!
353535
A treasure that sheds light on the diverse music in Appalachia before radio promoted "hillbilly music" as the only "traditional Appalachian music" around.
3694593
With Patty Loveless' awesome talent, we have a wonderful mix of traditional and bluegrass Christmas songs, all with that Appalachian sound that takes you back home - and maybe even back in time. You will enjoy it!
2357855
Being born and raised in Applachia, I was struck by the strong, unexpected parallels between the songs included on this CD and the traditional Bluegrass and Celtic musical traditions I grew up with.  Substitute fiddle  or hammered dulcimer for flute, and the music of the Andean mountains seems  suddenly familiar, as though mountain cultures separated by miles have  found a common musical space to inhabit.  I have found this CD excellent  for meditation and as a background for yoga.
2241469
As a fan of country and music in general, I find this album to be an amazing display of talent.  I love each of ZBB's previous albums, but here he took a chance, which all good artists should do now and then.  If you sit down with this record and expect to hear 14 versions of "Chicken Fried" you are going to be sorely disappointed.  However, if you are sitting down to listen to an incredibly tight band play well-orchestrated and executed, highly enjoyable to listen to songs, that just so happen to span across a variety of musical genres, then you are in luck.  Country, pop, dance, rock, metal, island, big-band, celtic, latin... all are represented in this split-personality album. Guess what? Zac and the boys make them all work!  If you're listening carefully you can still hear their unique signature harmony, which is undeniably country no matter which genre that song is covering.  I'd even venture to say that the songwriting contains some of the bands most poignant touching and heartwarming lyrics.  My favorites include "Remedy," "Tomorrow Never Comes," "I'll Be Your Man" and "Dress Blues."  Country diehards, cut them some slack!  At least they didn't go all "Chris Gaines" on you!
4815429
If you like Bluegrass (obviously) Country, or Blues check it out! As a guitar player, the riffs here were fresh and inspiring!
686033
This commentary was used to review the CD version of "The McGarrigle Hour". The only added comment necessary is the addition of other musicians like Linda Rhonstadt and Emmylou Harris make this more of a harmonic delight than the already great harmonies on the CD.

Over the past period this writer has reviewed the music of Loudon Wainwright III, the late Utah Phillips, his very much alive old friend Rosalie Sorrels and now the McGarrigle Sisters, Kate and Anna, (including, when appropriate, their family and kin musical entourage). What joins this reviewer and this gathering of folk giants together is one person and one place, Lena and Caf Lena's coffeehouse in Saratoga, New York. That place was (and today continues to be on a lesser scale) the Mecca in upstate New York for the gathering of much folk talent, folk wisdom and just plain whimsy, including the talents of most of those mentioned above.

I know Saratoga and its environs well and if New York City's Greenwich Village and Cambridge's Harvard Square are better known in the 1960s folk revival geography that locale can serve as the folk crowd's summer watering hole (and refuge from life's storms all year round). From the descriptions of the caf `s lifestyle and of the off-beat personality of Lena, as presented in a PBS documentary about her and the place many years ago, it also was a veritable experiment in ad hoc communal living). Thus, I know the names and work of the McGarrigles well. For those not so fortunate, and to bring the younger crowd up to date, Kate McGarrigle is Rufus Wainwright's mother (and Loudon Wainwright, of course, is his father). That will tell much about Rufus' pedigree.

But back to Kate and Anna. Of course they came out of Canada, like compatriots Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, and placed their stamp on a late portion of the folk revival, particularly with their beautiful harmonies, their great instrumental versatility and their songwriting replete with many memory-induced songs from their old country (including some very nice traditional songs in French). Those memory songs, perhaps, are their trademark-covering and creating a certain kind of folk music that is very traditionally driven without being maudlin as many of the very early songs in the North American Songbook tended to be. And their lyrics and melodies backed by a wide range of instruments from the banjo to the fiddle blend very nicely together.

I will give one example, the one that caught my ear long ago before I knew much of Lena and Caf Lena. The McGarrigle song "Mendocino" (out in Pacific California) is written in honor of Lena. Lena, as mentioned above, was very troubled in many ways, although something of a fairy godmother to the upstate New York folk scene. One single line of "Mendocino" captures Lena's turmoil very concisely- "never had the blues from whence I came, in New York state I caught`em". That line in combination with the almost ethereal melody line that evokes the spray of the ocean gives just the right sense about the plight of that troubled lady. This is the kind of thoughtful presentation that dominates their working ethos. Listen up.

Kate and Anna McGarrigle (and friends, family, etc) have gone all out to give an entertaining radio-like hear at many parts of the American (or better, North American) Songbook. Old Tin Pan Alley tunes, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, some Broadway numbers, traditional folk numbers, late 1950s rock and so on. Oh ya, some Kate and Anna McGarrigle too. Sticks outs here- of course the above-mentioned "Mendocino", Berlin's "What'll I Do", Stephan Foster's "Gentle Annie", the Sonny James classic "Young Love" and an incredible group harmony on "Johnny's Gone To Hilo". Nice stuff here.
3384410
I'm not a music critic, so can't tell you about sounds and harmony and techie type stuff. But I can tell you that if you like the indie country scene... Steve Earle, Wrinkled Neck Mules, Uncle Tupelo...you'll really dig this local Boulder, CO band.  They're starting to pick up steam and are touring in the NW this summer and I really hope they get some props so they'll keep recording.
895881
A very good album that highlights the slight cultural differences between afro american and euro american music in the piedmont area.
Joe Thompsons music is very smooth when compared to others such as Dink Roberts, John Snips et al; it emphasises the cultural exchange between races that has occurred within Old Time music.
The downside is that the setting is that of a string band rather than fiddle & banjo duet, for my personal tastes the double bass & guitar are an intrusion
3454437
Earnest, fervent and with the right amount of rough-around-the-edges, Gillian Welch sounds so convincingly Appalachian that when I found out she grew up in Los Angeles and not the foothills of Tennessee, I didn't believe it. A true musician through and through (Welch studied at the Berklee School of Music in Boston), her music has the authentic quality of folksy bluegrass and gospel. Her voice, which has the soul of a wayfarer and can move you to tears with its plaintive, emotional sensibility, is finely crafted...yet startlingly ordinary. This album is a beautiful testament to American music.
1534251
I am definitely a latecomer to the Avett Brothers and this was my first purchase of theirs.  Their music is exactly what I have been looking for- a somewhat indescribable combination of folk, Americana, bluegrass, country, pop, and punk.  I love the choice of instruments, thoughtful lyrics, great harmonies, melodic tunes, and the overall effect which is stunning.  I put them in the same broad category as Mumford and Sons and Lumineers but with more musical variety. Some of their songs are strongly punk, bluegrass, pop, or country, but most exist in a space suspended at the intersection of these musical genres. After trying to list my favorite songs on this album, I realized that I love all of the songs.  Since buying this album, I have created an Avett Brothers Pandora station, bought Mignonette and put all of their other albums in my wish list. I am not sure I have ever been so excited about a musical discovery.
2803733
I am a huge fan of alt-country, roots rock, Americana or whatever you wanna call it.  This is a classic in the genre.  Here are some lesser known albums in the genre that are fantastic.

1) End Of The Day by The Reivers

2) Idiots by Frog Holler

3) Banjos and Sunshine by Sixty Acres
3343766
This is a kick-butt album from a kick-butt band! Great album for fans of southern rock, (real) country, Americana, folk, etc. The band also gets bonus points since their banjo player resembles Charlie from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia".
561745
This band rocks!  I saw them live in Wisconsin Dells. And they put on a great show! They combine bluegrass, cajun, zydeco, and rock in to a nice menagerie!  All are very talented musicians and are up beat. This album is a cross cut of their genre.  Two thumbs up!
4739989
Wow! These guys are terrific!
I stumbled on these guys/gals listening to some Grey's anatomy soundtracks and was smitten.
A touch of folk, rock and country. If I had to choose who sounds similar I guess it might be Lady Antebellum/Gloriana just not as country and a bit more hip.
I'm a fan and look forward to their future music and any concerts in the Atlanta area!
501467
This a great album that contains the flavor of bluegrass with some ballads as well.  Eric Uglum has such great voice.  I've admired his singing since I first heard him with Weary Hearts in the late 80's with Ron Block, Butch Baldassari and Mike Bubb.  His voice has even gained richness over the years, in the way he shapes each note, and how some the words come across (listen to the word "home" on "Shenandoah Wind" the title track.

The instrumentals area all very tastefully done, with a good balance of hot licks and melody, not obscure or muddying the vocals at all, but filling just the right spaces between the lyrics.  Excellent tone and timing too.

The songwriting is superb, drawing out emotions and painting pictures in my mind, as all good folk music should.

The only negative thing I could say about the album is that it was relatively expensive, and not available new, so I purchased the album download, and so I don't know who is playing and singing on the album.  I could only guess that the banjo player is Janet Beazley, and the fiddle player is Christian Ward, with vocal backing by Janet Beazley and Chris Stuart.  Anyone know for sure....??

So, great job Eric, and keep producing the same fine music!

I highly recommend this album, even for those of you who don't think you like bluegrass sounding music.  Please give it a whirl!

Jon Clement
4933141
Southern Culture On the Skids - Dirt Track Date

Another solid release from this band. From looking at their music, song titles, pictures etc. it might look like this group are just having fun and laughing at southern lifestyle but there is some serious musicianship going on here. Sort of a mixture of John Fogerty, The B52's and Dick Dale, the songs pop out one after another and the cumulative effect is some great music that is entertaining and worthwhile. Good grooves, nice guitar, clever songwriting, Good stuff and a rather unusual twist on Americana and roots music. Most of their music is available for low prices so if this sounds of interest, dig in and find out what this group is all about!
2081147
I was born and raised in Schuylkill County, PA where this was recorded.  Singers include children, local bands, and old timers who do authentic music of their nationalities.  I am so impressed with the quality of the material here.  Everone seems to thoroughly enjoy sharing their ethnic music to all.  There are Polish Christmas carols,  Irish melodies, songs of Russia, Italy, India and more. Not something you'd listen to every day but I have my favorites and I recommend this CD to anyone interested in ethnic folk music.