Customer Reviews

Cherryholmes

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Playing Time - 45:51 -- The Cherryholmes' pendulum of repertoire swings from Bill Monroe ("Tallahassee") to the Dirt Band ("Workin' Man"), and Hazel Dickens ("Workin' Girl Blues") to the Louvin Brothers ("No One to Sing for Me"). Karen Rochelle's "He Goes to Church" imparts a powerful message that it's never too late to pursue salvation. So there are influences from old-time mountain, bluegrass, classic country and Gospel sounds. Their original songs are equally varied, with inspiration that covers the traditional music map. Twin fiddles and the bouncing ¾-beat give "Heart as Cold as Stone" a definitive Monroesque feeling, while "Makin' Time" is an uptempo and catchy song that could've been covered by Jimmy Martin before his death. "Will I Be the Winner?" and "Brand New Heartache" have classic country sensibilities. Jeff Taylor's whistle and accordion are added into the mix on the Celtic-flavored medley of some more originals, "Shelly in the Heather" and "Linda's Reel."

Thematically, they clearly understand the roots of the music when they compose and present a nicely-arranged song like "Red Satin Dress," a murder ballad that only slightly suffers from the vocals not being as high and lonesome as we're used to in such numbers. While there are many lead vocalists in this family band, Cia Leigh Cherryholmes is the most expressive and evocative on a straightforward original like "Don't Fall in Love." Among very stiff competition, she garnered a first round nomination as IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. As a unit, all six band members sing a cappella on the album closer. Besides their impressive songwriting and singing, The Cherryholmes demonstrate consummate instrumental skills that certainly belie their ages. "Coastline" is a fiery and frenetic tune that swirls like its inspiration, the hurricanes of 2004. Guests Ricky Skaggs (mandolin) and Ben Isaacs (harmony vocals) appear on one track apiece. Isaacs produced the project.

Based in Arizona, the hard-working Cherryholmes range from 13-year-old fiddling Molly Kate on up to the bass-playing patriarch of the unit, Jere. The other kids, Cia, B.J., and Skip, masterfully play banjo, fiddle and guitar, respectively. Their home-schooling mother, Sandy, plays mandolin. Since 2002, the Cherryholmes have been performing music full time (over 250 shows a year) and traveling extensively. They have the talent, dedication and attitude to really go places. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Really fine bluegrass album I think. This is one of those 'magical' country family bands. elements of the Carters, the Stanley Brs., Del McCoury-- & their frequent
'tourmates,' Rhonda Vincent & the Rage. And beautiful sound & playing here throughout too. I love the interplay of the twin fiddles, excellent meld of voices & leads from Cia (somewhat more 'high pure') & Sandy Lee (a bit grittier). And the guys do great too. Their songs sound like classics, & the covers are well chosen. I esp. like "How Long?", "Heart as Cold as Stone," "Brand New Heartache" & one with dad Jere's lead, "Red Satin Dress." But everything really compelling. One of my favorite country albums of '05.

I got this disc from my friend Mike , who has even more eclectic taste than I. And darned if I'm not obliged and grateful he sent it to me. This disc is right up there with the *O Brother Where Art Thou* soundtrack or *Will the Circle Be Unbroken*.

CherryHolmes' sound is clear and honest Bluegrass. They don't show-off, but show confidence in their musicianship and their vocals.

All the cuts are gems--not one hounddog baying at the moon.

If you like classic, clear unadulterated Bluegrass, *CherryHolmes* is for you.

I heard this family bluegrass band on NPR and ordered the same day. The feature on NPR explained that the kids were home schooled and dad got them all to learn an instrument. They got REAL good, winning several bluegrass competitions. How good are they? Goosebumps good. Teary-eyed good. WAAYY good.

The Cherryholmes are without a doubt one of the most talented groups touring today. Their stage performance is as good as it gets. This CD begins to "bridge" the gap from live performances to recorded music. Skaggs Family Records has completed the task and put together a great recording. With the Cherryholmes original songs and talent I am sure this is only the first of many to come.

The 6 members of the Cherryholmes family make great sounding traditional bluegrass music. They spend most of their time on the road. Favorite song is Cia singing "He goes to Church", just a beautiful Ballad.
Great instrumentals are Tallahassee (B Monroe)- showcasing their twin fiddles and "Coastline" - a high hitting song inspired by the hurricanes of the esat coast during 2004.
Just a must have for bluegrass fans.

Cherryholmes self-released two previous albums, but this is their first with the backing of a label (Skaggs Family). One listen reveals why this band won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award in 2005.

The band's story is partly responsible for the interest. Cherryholmes is a family, and a somewhat strange one. Father (and bass player) Jere Cherryholmes and mother (and mandolin player) Sandy Cherryholmes are devout Christians, home schoolers and, if one reads between the lines, distrusting of modern American culture. Not long after the death of their oldest daughter about six years ago, they took the remaining four kids to a bluegrass festival to lighten things up and fell in love with the people and the music. Not long afterwards, they decided to form a family band.

Only Sandy had any degree of musical background. Instruments were purchased - guitars, bass, fiddles - and the family set to work. A couple of years into the process, oldest daughter Cia Leigh, who was rapidly becoming a good guitarist, was told - not asked, told - by Jere that she was to learn the banjo.

The family got better and better and started playing festivals and attracting attention. And they revealed true talent; fiddlers Molly Kate and BJ are each impressive, and together can develop a twin-fiddle knockout punch. Cia has turned into a very competent banjo picker in the Scruggs/JD Crowe style. Son Skip is a rock-solid rhythm guitarist who can step out and deliver impressive flat-picking leads. Jere performs the critical function of a bluegrass bassist - rhythm and beat - as well as anyone working. Ironically, Sandy - the only family member with previous musical training, and who essentially guided the kids' musical education - is revealed as the weakest player of the bunch - a competent bluegrass mandolin player, but nothing particularly dramatic (then again, it's hard to be commanding when the competition includes players like Chris Thile and Sam Bush).

Cia, at 23, is the oldest of the kids; Molly Kate, at 13, the youngest. All of the kids have now done session work for top country and bluegrass acts (pretty impressive considering both ages and the fact that they've all got roughly five years of playing experience). The family leads an insular life; they essentially live on their tour bus, and play upwards of 200 shows per year.

Every song on this album is nicely arranged and the production is impeccable. Molly Kate and BJ approach virtuousity at their instruments (it's hard to tell who's playing which break; the otherwise comprehensive liner notes don't let on). The vocals are solid and tight. Cia clearly has star potential as both a singer and a banjo player.

With 9 original tunes and five covers, the album's biggest weakness is the songwriting. The self-penned instrumentals are terrific ("Coastline" has phenomenal fiddle playing; the "Sally in the Heather/Linda's Reel medley is a nearly perfect Celtic jig-into-reel masterpiece), but the band's lyrics are highly derivative and not particularly interesting. Cia Leigh's paens to love lost are particularly revealing of this. Though melodically and instrumentally solid, the words just aren't that interesting - you've essentially heard these songs dozens of times before. Not surprising, in that the kids really don't yet know the romantic heartbreak of which they sing.

All of which said, this is a solid album of bluegrass music, and this band just keeps getting better. The next album is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2007, and considering the musical growth of this family it's likely to be remarkable. Watch these folks while you can - it only stands to reason that these kids will continue to improve, but will also ultimately go their own ways.

These guys rock. This is one of the best old-school bluegrass records that's come out in years... They play great and really sound like they have fun playing the music. Highly recommended.

I love the instrumentals on the Cherryholmes CD. The vocals need to mature a little but, "Working Man" and a few others make this Cd a must for my bluegrass collection. The vocals are a little more toward "country" which I like than the nasal, traditional, bluegrass. I can't wait for their next effort.
I think the Skaggs family recognized a great new bluegrass family and put out a good CD.

I loved it! They could crossover to the mainstream country charts without any problems whats so ever. They mix country and bluegrass in such a way that you don't even realize it's a bluegrass CD.