Customer Reviews

Blind Man Walking

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

From the CD cover, and some of the titles of the tunes I expected Frank Zappa meets Bluegrass! Should I mention the Proust Quote about new landscapes and new eyes?

Yet, the music is expectly played with a soulful feeling. Some is close to tradition bluegrass and celtic music. On other tracks they "add" a dash of the new, as in the ending of "Sinners Welcome." Both work very well, and I find myself enjoying their creation of new landscapes.

Not all bluegrass CDs can maintain this balance between the old and new, and some leave the genre expect for classification for sales.

Highly recommended.

Playing Time - 53:51 -- Record execs are always in search of the next big act to create a tsunami in the fairly stodgy and conservative bluegrass community. Ricky Skaggs heard Cadillac Sky and has decided to take a chance on them and their fresh, progressive brand of bluegrass. Penning all of their own material, C-Sky clearly has some country, Celtic and even rock influences. Only in existence since late-2002, the band doesn't have a long-tenured track record of success, but it's very likely that their supercharged vocals and novel sound will touch a nerve with younger listeners. At least, Skaggs thinks so. What he probably heard was their ability to be both precise and reckless, controlled but spontaneous, happy yet lonesome....in other words, the perfect ingredients for a young, unique bluegrass group. I think you'll agree with me. They're a real kick if prog-grass is your bag.

Bryan Simpson plays a pivotal role in the band's songwriting, lead singing, and mandolin playing. Simpson's songs have been recorded by George Strait, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Diamond Rio, Jo Dee Messina, Neal McCoy, and Kenny Rogers. He even bows fiddle on one track, "Never Been So Blue." The other stellar band members are Mike Jump (guitar, vocals), Matt Menefee (banjo), Ross Holmes (fiddle, vocals), and Matt Blaize (bass, vocals). National championship fiddle and banjo wins at Winfield, Kansas only add to the mystery and romanticism of this group.

The band's creativity and wild, boyish exuberance are a product of their familiarity with traditional bluegrass. In the CD jacket, one photo shows Simpson proudly displaying his Monroe T-shirt. This 13-song debut is certain to draw comparisons to the ground-breaking directions of Nickel Creek, New Grass Revival, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and others. It's important that bands follow their inner muse. If band members can all share a common vision and have fun together while they're collaboratively moving ahead, then we'll have a strong purpose-driven group like C-Sky....what a fantastic futuristic name for such a band. But even if they're "mountain boys" at heart, they're motivated and eager to solidify their own musical persona. Already with this 13-song debut, I can tell you that it's characterized by considerable talent, maturity, and charisma. National press coverage, widespread airplay, extensive touring, a record contract, and a 2004 showcase at the IBMA World of Bluegrass Trade Show have people talking .... about an innovative progressive band that's easy to embrace. They're not out to reform bluegrass music but merely nudge it into the new century. They know about the lonesome soul of the genre, and in "Never Been So Blue" they eulogize Bill Monroe with "the twin fiddles play and the whippoorwill sings .... the bluegrass has never been so blue." Do you think they included this song, respectful of his music and legacy, just to appease those staunch traditionalists who think C-Sky is blasphemous? I doubt it.

And thanks guys for not including percussion in the mix...you don't need it. Sonya Isaacs' guest vocals on "Homesick Blues" are a nice touch, as is Kenneth Soper's didgereedoo on the title cut. When asked a standard canned interview question once about their influences, the band's reply was something to the effect that their music is just something that feels necessary. If the bluegrass genre is going to continue to grow and prosper with younger folks, then I think you'll understand that C-Sky is on somewhat of a mission to fulfill a purpose and need. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

I love this album. It is full of rocking bluegrass energy and the lyrics are poetical and evocative and fun. It is fun to sing along with and to dance to. These guys know how to write both with words and with their music. I've listened to it many times now, have yet to be tired of it. I can't wait until their next cd. I saw Cadillac Sky at Wintergrass this February, 2007, can't wait to see them live again!

Buy It! It's none stop musical bliss from start to finish. The vocals are first class. I had the opportunity to see these guys live in West Virginia, they blew me away. There songs are very creative with a great blend of traditional and for my money worthy of regular play on any country radio station. If you love Bluegrass it's a must have and if your a fan of modern country music like Rascel Flats, Kieth Urban, Clay Davidson you will love this CD. This aint your grand daddies front porch pickin! These guys take you on an adventure you don't want to end.

i absolutely loooove this cd. it's bluegrass for a younger generation. contemporary style, without percussion. incredible instrumentals, harmonies, vocals, and lyrics. i luv every song on it; born lonesome, insonmiac blues, you again, never been so blue, wish i could say i was drinkin... it's hard to pick a favorite. what else can i say? it's a GREAT cd.

These guys are the real deal... you can hear the influence of New Grass Revival, Ryan Shupe, Sam Bush, et al, but they play with such drive and conviction that it sets them apart from anyone else. The songs are very powerful,very witty double meanings without getting preachy; also mixed and compressed very well, you can crank this one up and feel it in your chest. The songs flow together so seamlessly that that sometimes you think that one is a continuation of the previous track. There is not a weak link on the album, but highlights are "Blind Man Walking" and "You Again", the "you" being first temptation to steal a Masarati, then conscience, conviction, then judgement and finally, his prior cellmate.

Had to go out and buy an mp3 player so that I could listen to this CD on my motorcycle, awesome album.

From the first few bars, I knew I was going to love this group. Their tight harmonies, predominantly minor chords, intricate yet precise rhythms, quirky and poignant lyrics yield an album that continues to enchant me each time I play it. Plus, it's great for singing away the house chores!

This is a fantastic group of musicians with great arrangements and thoughtful original songs. I highly recommend it for folks who want to hear someone stretch the bounds of bluegrass/newgrass. They have a second CD out now that's just as good.

If you're bent on tradition, this is probably not the disc for you; however, I'm usually bent on tradition and I love this stuff! It's fresh, new music played on the traditional instruments accompanied by the traditional 2- and 3-part harmonies. Don't expect to replicate these songs in a traditional jam session--the instrumentation is complicated. These guys are producing some good stuff! I also love the new CD, "Gravity's Our Enemy."

This is the best new Bluegrass act I've heard in years. These guys really "get it", in my opinion. Keep up the amazing work, boys!