Customer Reviews

In The Dance Tent

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

 

 

I was there. I saw it happen.

This recording is an example of what happens when a bunch of spirited musicians get together and get moved by the spirit of the crowd. These simple fiddle tunes become so much more when the Horse Flies get their hands on them, and the energy of their live performance practically blows sparks out of my stereo speakers. Judy Hyman's dynamic fiddling rightfully takes center stage; Jeff Claus' rhythmic banjo uke strumming and keening vocals add drama and depth. Rich Stearns, the dearly departed John Hayward, and a battery of percussionists hold the whole thing together and propel it to dizzying heights.

This CD is the next best thing to being In the Dance Tent, and that's a beautiful place to be!

This is a live performance at the Grassroots Festival in May 1995. The sound is great! With the exception of Human Fly, these are all fiddle and banjo tunes with some great syncopated percussion. Did I mention this is dance music? Cloggers will be on their feet, guaranteed, as the lady said above.

One reviewer noted that this record is unlike the Flies more modern records. It's true--this is their older style bluegrass-on-steroids. It is just drop-dead fabulous. If you like the Horse Flies, you need this CD.

[...]

F. Horne

It brought back the best memories of many danse tents and the magical evolution of the Horse Flies' music. Listening now makes my old clogger's knees feel young again. Music is hypnotic and exhilerating.

Dynamite Nouveaux Old Timey Dance Music, with a contemporary eclectic/electric twist!
Good for Dancin or 'Hard Drivin'. I'd love to see 'em Live!

I'm an absolute fan of the Horseflies. They are doing wonderful new things with Country/Bluegrass/Electric/Folk/etc music ... things I haven't heard from anyone else. But this album doesn't do justice to the innovative side they show on their other recordings. Don't get me wrong, it's still a four star disc, and great live dancehall music, but just not quite there with their first 2 offerings. If you want live bluegrass, this is highly recommended. If you want to hear something different in this style, try "Human Fly" or "Gravity Dance" or Boy with a Fish's "Bird's Fly Backwards". Once you've got these, you'll then add this to the collection.

The Horse flies are the very best example of old time music with great musicianship. Pure rhythm. Babies love it to.