Customer Reviews

Bottleneck

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

 

 

This band first came to my attention when a friend told me they'd done a cover of "Five Days in May", a favourite song by Blue Rodeo, one of my favourite bands. I heard the single and, based on that and a little bit of faith, I bought the CD. I was pleasantly surprised. I have very little experience with the Bluegrass tradition behind Salamander Crossing's music (though of course it's all the rage now, what with the "O Brother" soundtrack making waves), but love folk in all its forms, and am glad to add this to my shelf.

This band is tight, intricate but uncomplicated, and there is a sense of ease to their songs that makes this CD a wonderful experience. I especially like that both the female and male vocalists get to take the lead on different tracks, and their voices are well-matched in harmony, although Jeff's is less strong than either Andrew's or Rani's. Simple-hearted love songs like "River and the Rain" are that much more warmed by how well the singers' tones mesh. The haunting "Crossing the Bar" stays true not only to the strong sense of faith that informed Tennyson's poetry, but to his wish that any publication that includes that poem place it last. As for the cover of "Five Days in May", it is wonderful to hear it interpreted by a female voice, which to my ear makes it all the more poignant.

This is one of the best recordings I have heard in a long time. Rani Arbo's vocal on Indigo Rose is so beautiful that I listened to it over and over again. Guitarist/vocalist Jeff Kelliher wrote two excellent songs on here, Long Long Ago, and Put the Weight On Me. Kelliher is a very talented songwriter. There is not a bad song on Bottleneck Dreams.

One of my favorites. Saw them at a cozy performance at the Vergennes Opera House, and havent' stoped listening to the CD since. Encore, Encore!

I had the pleasure of hearing Salamander Crossing in the basement of Penn State's student union building many years ago, and I instantly fell in love with this band. I ran back to my dorm room to get some money to buy this album, and I've been listening to it ever since.

Quite frankly, I don't own anything else like this, so I'm not a very informed critic. Regardless of my ignorance, this music is just a blast. It's complex, mellow, and foot-tapping at various times. Everyone who lets me play it for them loves it. The lead singer's voice is spectacular, the instrumentalists are extraordinary, and the collaboration of the entire band together is just beautiful.

This is truly one of my favorite albums in my collection, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Rani Arbo has a voice like velvet. This is one of my alltime favorite albums. So sad was i when i heard that Salamander Crossing broke up. But the good news is that Rani has a new band - daisy mayhem. Saw them last night and they played many Salamander Crossing songs. The best!

I've been a fan of bluegrass for quite a while. Salamander Crossing raises the bar. I first heard about this recording through my pastor (as is often the case). He sings and plays "Crossing the Bar" every Christmas at our church dinner/talent show as he heard it performed by Salamander Crossing on Garrison Keillor's Praire Home Companion. I bought the CD based only on that arrangement of the Tennyson poem. I was more than pleased by the sound of the whole recording. I could listen to Rani Arbo's smoky velvet voice for days.

I listened to the song "Paul and Peter Walked" about six times in a row last night and twice in a row this morning. 'Nuff said.

Salamander Crossing is a perfect mix of folk and bluegrass. You can hear how much they enjoy their music and you'll find yourself singing the songs in the shower. Rani Arbo's voice is stunning.

Caught one of their shows at a Border's store. Bought this CD and later their two CDs. This is very elegant bluegrass. Very catching.

I love how Salamander Crossing utilizes all its band members to the fullest - there does not seem to be one main singer or soloist. It makes for great variety on this CD. I also like how some of the songs are very bluegrass in character while others are more folk-oriented.