Daylight's Burnin'

Wildwood Valley Boys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rebel Records
• ASIN: B000F1HGBA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,615 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...and 1/2.... Expressive vocals, sparkling solos, and well-tailored harmonies, June 4, 2006

By 

J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daylight's Burnin' (Audio CD)

Playing Time - 36:37 -- From Indiana, guitarist/lead vocalist Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys continue to carry on the bluegrass family tradition of the legendary Boys from Indiana. Tony is the son of Aubrey Holt, who wrote eight of the twelve cuts on this project. Tony wrote the closer, "Old Grandad," and other songs were penned by Sterling Whipple, Brian Leaver, and Tom Holt. Aubrey Holt sings tenor. The rest of the Wildwood Valley Boys are Evan MacGregor (fiddles, viola, baritone vocals), Jake Brown (mandolin), Matt Despain (dobro), Brian Leaver (banjo, lead guitar), and Paul Priest (bass). Apparently, the band has undergone some personnel changes since their last project, "Songs from Wildwood Valley," but they still sound very cohesive with their instrumental and vocal arrangements. In fact, since the Wildwood Valley Boys released their first album for Rebel Records in 1999, they've had many personnel changes, but they haven't lost any momentum. For their second album in 2000, "I'm a Believer," they reverently presented some soul-stirring bluegrass gospel. On this latest project, I think their new personnel actually step it up a notch in the instrumental department.

This 12-track project is now the fifth album from the band, and it shows that they've achieved an even greater level of experience and maturity. It builds on their formula for success that revolves around fresh traditional-sounding material, well-blended vocals, and unpretentious yet solid instrumental prowess that stays close to the melodies without grandstanding. Anything but trite, these songs appeal to staunch traditionalists who have certain expectations and enjoy powerful images or messages in their bluegrass music. The tempos and rhythms are varied, and each song has a contemporary personality of its own built on strong traditional foundations. "Daylight's Burnin'" is a lively number with some shuffling fiddle work. Recalling precious old memories is the theme of Aubrey's nostalgic -time songs about Maggie Belle and Ann. "Cousin Russell" is a ballad that recalls younger days when the boys were learning to pick bluegrass and listening to the Opry on daddy's crystal set. "Silver Ghost" is a spooky song of a train without an engineer or crew. The personal tribute to "Old Granddad" is a sweet thoughtful remembrance. Brian Leaver's "Boilermaker" is a rhythmically enticing and expressive instrumental that gives each musician a chance to showcase their picking abilities. Their slower tempo'ed and more evocative songs, like the sad "When the Warden Turns the Key," are their forte. Tony's smooth vocal delivery conjures many images, such as this convict's dark cell and his last lonely mile. "North of Carolina" and "Feeling Blue" get the toes tapping. Overall, I would've enjoyed hearing a few more songs like "I Ain't Leavin'" on this CD to shake things up a bit. To burn a little more than daylight, a couple up-tempo pieces at full throttle would've proven that this formidable band can be as inspired as they are inspiring.

"Daylight's Burnin'" has expressive vocals, sparkling solos, and well-tailored harmonies. Their traditional approach to the music, coupled with new original material, demonstrates that Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys know how to entertain bluegrass fans. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun style of bluegrass!, July 30, 2011

By 

Pastor Les (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Daylight's Burnin' (MP3 Download)

I stumbled across the Wildwood Valley Boys while listening to Pandora. This is the 2nd album of theirs that I purchased from Amazon. The group has a great banjo picker and fiddler - absolute "musts" in a bluegrass band from my point of view! They have a lively style of bluegrass that is fun to listen to. It is very upbeat with "catchy" tunes and great lyrics. Feelin' Blue is my favorite song on this album - listen to it and you will see why I like this bluegrass band.