Appalachian music reviews

This is simply the best old-time band I've heard in a coon's age. (Does anyone know how long that is?) This CD is sometimes soothing, sometimes exciting, sometimes thought-provoking. It is never boring, repetitive, trite or Troublesome. Really good listening. Each instrumentalist is a master or mistress of their instrument. No flaws whatsoever. The vocals are hauntingly lovely. You find yourself listening carefully to each well crafted harmony. The selection of songs is wonderful. Those old songs feel as familiar and comfortable as a well-worn quilt and as nourishing as home-made bread. I have listened to this at least 20 times and will continue to do so for as long as time will take me.

Flat out, no questions, no doubt about it, this is a one-hundred-percent perfect old-timey stringband album. The picking is understated and delightful, the vocals have just the right mix of antiquity and good humor, the song selection tilts towards the traditional and the pacing of the set is flawless; I could listen to this record for days on end and never grow tired... If I sound effusive, that's because I am. These folks -- banjoist Steve Arkin, fiddler Rick Martin, guitarist Dick Harrington and bassist Lorie Lichtenwalner -- don't make a big deal out of being one of the best damn bands you'll ever hear; they just play with an obvious love of the music and let the tunes take care of everything else. They tip their hats towards eminent old time-rs like Brad Leftwich and Dirk Powell (Martin studied fiddling with guidance from Leftwich) and they do their mentors proud. Some purists might find these performances too smooth and not "bent" enough, but I think it all sounds really fine. An entertaining, accessible album, drenched in tradition, but very much vibrant and alive in the here and now. Highly recommended.