Customer Reviews

Afterquake

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was an ESL teacher in China for 2 1/2 years, and came back to living in the States at the end of 2005. When the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan Province last year, I was deeply touched in particular by Melissa Block's live story on NPR. Today, as I was driving to pick up my son from school, I heard the NPR interview with Abby & Dave, and I was incredibly moved by their stories, and especially by "Song for Mama". I looked at their website tonight & purchased a CD. Not only is this a very worthy cause for support, but the music is really fabulous too.

This album is truly one-of-a-kind. Abby and her partner are able to combine grass-root music with her own cutting-edge artistry. I bought this CD along with Sparrow Quartet CD after listening the samples on Abby's own website. Abby has also been doing the right kind of activism in China by 1) extending a helpful hand to local communities, and 2) fostering the mutual understanding of two unique cultures in a very modern, dignified and intimate way. Way to go, Abby !

I have been a fan of Abigail Washburn for a long time but was disappointed with this music. Abigail usually plays bluegrass-fusion with Chinese influences. Her solo album and her albums with Uncle Earl and The Sparrow Quartet are amazing, but this was quite a let down. Young people who like hip-hop will probably love this stuff. I do not. She speaks Chinese and has been to China many times and she participated in this album to help the relief effort for the Shanghi earthquake that happened a few years ago(similar the the relief efforts that are going on for hurricane Katrina).

I'm a tough critic and I say it like it is. I love this CD. The concept is terrific and inspirational. It brings me closer to my heritage and thus, home. However, I was disappointed in how brief it was. The tracks are short and the entire CD is roughly 18 minutes long. I felt the tracks had a sense of being rushed along and not developed to its full potential. Each track definitely could have been longer. I am a huge fan of Dave Liang or SRP's other CDs, such as `Zodiac' and `Story of a City', which gets all the stars from me!

I've given this as a gift to three people and all of them commented on how much they liked it. A variety of unique songs, including one with a dialogue between mother (recorded as she rebuilds the family's house) and her son (recorded at his new school located far from their hometown). But Abigail Washburn fans should know that her voice is not featured on this CD, and everyone else should know that the lyrics are not in English.