Customer Reviews

Barren County

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this album. The music sounded better the more I listened to this piece when I first bought it 15 years ago. Today, it even sounds still better. The vocals are terrific. The playing is top-notch, and the blend of the styles of individual musicianship is fantastic. Two of my favorite songs are "Going to the Fair," and "How about You." I like the first one because it beautifully portrays the excitement and sense of romance at a county fair. It's also an incredibly funky tune. "How about You" has an amazing message that isn't preachy. The whole album is heart-felt, and the vocals have an vivid presence that is overwhelming -- especially on the tune "Crazy in the Night."

Like some of the others here, putting on this album instantly transports me back to the time I discovered it -- for me a summer of discovery bumming around the mountains of Wyoming in a pickup truck full of climbing gear.

Over the years I've followed Sam Bush's career and while it gets better all of the time, this album holds up to anything since... the energy and no-holds barred performances are just amazing.

Buy this CD, shed your skin, and make it the soundtrack to your next adventure.

This was to be the first album by New Grass that I had listened to, and it was to be my official introduction into the world outside of the rock music I was accustomed to listening to at that time in my life. Nay sayers may say that this is not "real" bluegrass, and who am I to judge?? Yet, this is the album that introduced me a whole new world and experience in music. Likewise, the talent of these musicians is unmatched- in my opinion at least. If you still aren't convinced, take it from the ears of a newborn- our son had severe colic. After spending god-knows-how-much in different formulas, mylecon drops, and Mozart C.D.'s (and any other idea other more experienced parents had), his tired mommy needed tunes of her own to hear (that would be me). Low and behold, they soothed our son's fretful cries- each and every time we played them. To this day, he loves these C.D.'s as much as we do! I have now collected all of the C.D.'s here, and am back to replace Barren County- ours is well- worn. Thanks New Grass Revival for your music- we miss you!

Some of my best memories are of concerts at Beech Bend Park, and NEW GRASS REVIVAL playing outside Bowling Green, Ky. We would have the best of times lisening to there music roll across the fields, while waiting for the canoes to finish there annual race. They would truely make something out of nothing, music out air. Listen and you will hear yourself, PURE KENTUCKY!!!

Dancin with the angels is my favorite song on this album, the guys sounded great. Souvenir Bottles is my husband's favorite. Our first date was to see New Grass in Bowling Green, at Piccaso's. We really hated it when they split up! I would highly recommend this to anyone, the harmonic voices and blistering instrumentals are astounding!!!!!!

I was working at a record store in Bowling Green, Ky when this album came out. Sam Bush lived about 10 miles out Russelleville Rd and most of the group still lived in Warren County. The entire "Back to Country" movement had not happened yet, so being origional was a very good thing.

We sold many copies of this album at the store because the music is timeless. A great deal of junk was pushed off by the major labels during that time which few can remember. But this album stands out. The tunes are humable and catchy (take that post grunge).

Is it for the modern post-rural neo-suburban tastes? Yes, it is. It is just fun to listen to and instructive in tone and direction. (music can have a message of instruction or celebration from time to time;-)

Please buy this CD. PLay it. Love it. You can seldom go wrong with it.

1979's Barren County challenges Commonwealth as the best all around effort produced by the second NGR lineup of Sam Bush, John Cowan, Curtis Birch, and Courtney Johnson, the forth release with these musicians working together. Good song selection, wide range of styles, and interpretation make this collection especially enjoyable from the opening upbeat gospel tune "Dancin' With The Angels" through the soulful numbers "Don't Look Back" and "Souvenir Bottles" to the rowdy finish of "Lee Highway Blues". "Goin' To The Fair" is reminiscent of the tune "Pennies In My Pocket" from their recently re-released first album. The New Grass Revival again demonstrates their ability to cross musical bounderies, which would long be one of their best attributes, helping forge their impact upon the progressive scene. The sound and feel is typical New Grass Revival, refreshing and enjoyable, stretching the limits of tradition. I, being thankful that they did.

This item has to be burned/made from a master. Amazon folks screwed up the burning and left tracks off of the version sent to me.
Music (that's there) is excellent, but not all the tracks made the CD.
Getting what you order is usually good from Amazon, but a crap-shoot if they have to make your product.

Great music by a fantastic group of musicians. A wide range of songs - passionate, energetic, thoughtful, slow and fast - all sharing an amazing passion for the music and an absolute technical mastery of their instruments. I had this on vinyl back when it came out, and was delighted to see it on CD. If I had only 20 CD's in my collection, this would be one. Every song is great.

This is it.
What I consider to be the best New Grass Revival album.
It has everything for everyone.
I love this guys so much.
I miss them.
This one is a must have.