Customer Reviews

Beyond the City

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Discovered the marvelous sound of the Cox Family when I heard their sad and haunting "I am Weary" on the O Brother CD. If that song has led you to this review I recommend you give this album a try, you won't be disappointed.

This CD travels up and down the emotional scale, and every song translates into exactly what the Cox Family wants it to. There is much more than playing the music and singing the words here, the Cox' have a way of getting inside of the listner with their music - you understand what they're feeling when they play. I especially like the songs with Suzanne in the lead vocal posititon, particularly "Lovin'You" and "Blue Bayou", she can touch your soul with her voice. That said, two of my favorite cuts on the album are led by Evelyn and Willard.

Alison Krauss produced and arranged here, you can feel her talent throughout. The Union Station guys lend instrumental support and that's always to the good - you'll hear Krauss' fiddle on a few songs too. But this album is about the Cox Family, and you'll be missing some high quality bluegrass/country music if you pass it up.

Maybe the best endorsement of the Cox Family comes from Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, he's quoted on the back of the CD jacket: "The first time I heard the Cox Family . . .was about as beautiful a piece of country music as I'd heard in years." Perfect description.

The family look miserable on the cover picture but don't let that put you off. The Cox family are well respected within the bluegrass community and this album, produced by Alison Krauss, shows why. Most of the songs are covers though Cowboy's dream and the title track were co-written by Sidney Cox.

The most famous song here is Blue bayou, which was a sixties pop hit for Roy Orbison and a seventies pop hit for Linda Ronstadt. I'm pleased that the Cox family adapted it to bluegrass although I still prefer the other two versions. Loving you also dates from the sixties, being originally written and recorded by the Lovin' spoonful. Lizzie and the rain man was an American pop and country hit in the seventies for Tanya Tucker. I don't know the origin of another lonesome morning, but the Cox family probably got if from Cimarron, one of Emmylou's albums. The other covers are Cotton Dan (Claude King), I'll be all smiles tonight (Carter family), Beautiful bouquet (Rose Maddox), Little birdie (a very old, traditional song), Streets of gold (Ronnie Milsap) and Broken engagement (Webb Pierce).

If you enjoy great bluegrass music, especially the early stuff by Alison Krauss, you'll love this.

I bought this album when it first came out and enjoy every song on the album. My very favorite on this album is "Broken Engagement". The two variations of this song sung by Suzanne (her early years and as a grown-up) are awesome. When I travel I always take this album with me to enjoy. I am also buying another album of this from Amazon so I will always be able to enjoy the songs. I wish Alison Krauss would produce another album like this for the Cox Family. It would be fantastic.

The harmonies this band produces are amongst the finest I have ever heard. Being from the arena rock generation I have been looking for thought provoking, well executed music to enjoy. The Cox Family qualifies. Their music is a kind of mix between blues, bluegrass and country. Their music touches my soul. A rare occurance these days!

What is it about Suzanne Cox? I'm just in love with that girl! Being and old Dobro player my sentimental favorite has to be "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight". But I just love this whole CD! Great songs, great arrangements,and good mix. This is my first "Cox Family" CD but it sure ain't going to be my last! Five stars aren't enough!

If you like Bluegrass this is as pure as it gets.
If you don't know Bluegrass, this will make you a believer.
If you hate Bluegrass...see if this dosen't change your mind.
Beyond the City is a treasure

Words cannot begin to describe the emotion and the feelings that pour forth in this CD from the premeir group of country preformers. From the #1 hit "Lizzie and the Rainman" to the memory jarring "Cotton Dan" the Cox Family have given us the very soul and essisance of country/pop/bluegrass music. If you only listen to one album of country music this should be it nowhere else will you find the deep understanding of the peoples music.

This is an amazing CD. Like many, discovered them through Oh Brother CD and this one is inspiring. Their harmony is etherial and never falters. This CD is consistently performed, with almost every song a winner. If you like hill harmony, buy this one.

I love hearing the Cox Family (especially when they sing with Allison Krauss). This is a fabulous CD which can be listened to over and over. Their voices and harmonies cannot be beat, in my opinion!

Every track on this CD is a great tune. If you like blugrass/folk music this is a must have.