Customer Reviews

History of the Future

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

 

 

There is only one word for Ricky Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder . . . unbelieveable! Ever since Ricky Skaggs rededicated himself to bluegrass and traditional country music in 1997 with the release of BLUEGRASS RULES, no one has been more consistent in recording quality, both in terms of material and performance, than he has been. That stellar release which instantaneously catapulted Ricky Skaggs to the top of the bluegrass world was quickly followed by the release of two equally impressive albums: ANCIENT TONES and the all-gospel collection SOLDIER OF THE CROSS.

Ricky shows no signs of letting up. This latest release, HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, is an impressive follow-up to the previously mentioned recordings.

While most of the material will be familiar to long-time bluegrass fans, the performances are fresh enough to justify purchasing the CD. A good example of this is "Dim Lights Thick Smoke". This song has been recorded by everyone from Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs to the likes of The Flying Burrito Brothers. However, the instrumental arrangement and spine-tingling harmonies on this selection make it stand out among the innumerable versions of this song.

Another classic that reemerges here is "Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms", which was recorded by the legendary country music duo of George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Many purists will balk at this selection of songs. Many fans of traditional country music may feel about this the same way some would feel about U2 attempting a remake of Elvis' greatest hits. However, again, the approach taken is fresh, the execution flawless, and the song just as fun as it ever was.

The instrumental "Road to Spencer" is a breath of fresh air that illustrates how deeply connected bluegrass is to traditional Scots-Irish music. The piece begins with a modest three-piece rendering of the song using a bodhran (hand drum), pennywhistle, and accordian. This quickly gives way to a more hard-driving bluegrass section that features the more traditional banjo-guitar-mandolin combinations. However, throughout the piece the bodhran and pennywhistle reemerge and finally reassert themselves at the end of the recording.

Finally, Ricky includes one gospel piece (in the Momma and Jesus tradition), as he normally does on even his "secular" albums. For Ricky, though, there is never such a thing as a purely secular album. Among his special thanks are those going out "to a friend that sticks closer than a brother, The Lord Jesus". This profound faith is clearly present in his rendering of "Mother's Only Sleeping". The harmonies are high-lonesome and the emotion is real. If after listening to this selection, you want to hear more, I would gladly recommend Ricky's SOLDIER OF THE CROSS.

All of the pieces on this album are sterling. If you are a long-time fan, you will definitely want this one in your collection. If you are new to bluegrass or are simply experimenting, I can't think of a better place for you to start your musical adventure.

Skagg's latest release has a little of everything: Something old (terrific arrangment of the chestnut "Shady Grove"), something new (the instrumental tribute to his Celtic roots "The Road to Spencer"), something borrowed (a remake of his "One Way Track" from his Boone Creek days) and something blue (the tragic lost love of "Too Far Down to Fall"--complete with a bass line borrowed from "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'").

Skaggs is still one of the brightest stars in bluegrass music today and this album is a welcome addition to any fan's collection who appreciates solid picking and singing. Some critics have argued how many more renditions do we need of "Sawin' on the Strings" or "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms." My answer is at least one more if Ricky Skaggs is involved with the project. If I had to single out one word to describe Skaggs' music, it would be "integrity." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

What an excellent CD! His best ever. I was captivated from the very beginning with the opening bars of "Shady Grove". Ricky and his band absolutely smoke on this cut and it sets the tone of great musicianship for the entire album. The band switches gears from smoking on "Shady Grove" to an Irish feel on the fabulous "Road to Spencer". And the thought provoking lyrics to "Half Way Home Cafe" really cut like a knife.

This CD will be one that you play over and over and is proof that even though Ricky "went country" for a number of years he did not forget how to do it. Helping his cause is the fact, that unlike many bluegrass artists, he has the money and commands the fees that allow him to hire some of the best young pickers in the business as well as being able to afford ample studio time. This can't hurt, but the final product is what counts. And this album has that great artistry and feeling that can't be bought.

Another solid offering from Ricky and the boys. As usual, several cuts (Shady Grove, The Old Home, Road to Spencer, and Mother's Only Sleeping) are pure gold and worth the price of the CD. Some of the more "contemporary" cuts (e.g. Halfway Home Cafe) were a little too pop for my tastes, but I think Ricky's just trying to add a little variety to the mix and I appreciate that. All in all this is another outstanding CD by one of the world's greatest bluegrass bands and you should absolutely buy it if you have any interest in this type of music. Saw Ricky last summer in Austin and he and Kentucky Thunder just tore the place up.

Here, at last, is the great bluegrass CD that Ricky Skaggs has always had in him and that has struggled to be born as Skaggs worked his way through a series of good-but-not-great recordings. You can tell that he knows it was there all along. I suspect he made it happen by, for one thing, immersing himself in Irish music. I don't mean that he necessarily sounds Irish, though the original instrumental "Road to Spencer," with Celtic drum, pennywhistle, and accordion in the mix, is certainly an unconcealed nod. It's just that like the best bands of the Celtic revival, he's achieved a kind of orchestral sound within a small-ensemble context. He also manages to get more melody out of bluegrass than just about anybody, and I am willing to wager that's a consequence of learning from all those lovely Irish airs. Anyway, no longer overloading his repertoire with warhorses from the Monroe and Stanley catalogues, he's picked a bunch of fine songs from other sources, from folk tradition to the pen of Nashville hack Paul Overstreet, who miraculously proves that he has a wonderful country story-song in him, "Halfway Home Cafe." And when Skaggs comes home to the Stanleys ("The Old Home") and Monroe ("Mother's Only Sleeping"), he's reinventing, not recreating. If bluegrass has a future, Ricky Skaggs will loom large in its history.

The hallmark of Ricky Skaggs music is flawless top shelf bluegrass taken to the absolute limits of perfection and this CD is no exception. The guy sings and plays the mandolin with effortless perfection. The old school bluegrass standards on this CD take on a fresh flavor and if you're a mandolin lover, you'll probably wear the 50,000 mile warrenty off this CD the first week.

This is one of those rare albums which doesn't have a single cull. Skaggs' return to bluegrass could not have been more aptly rendered. These guys are hot...fabulous musicianship, tight vocal harmonies, and a superb job of production and studio mixing. If you like Ricky Skaggs, and if you love bluegrass music, buy this one. But be warned...this CD is hard-core and hard-driving. I challenge you to sit still when you hear this!

Once again Ricky Skaggs has taken his band Kentucky Thunder, added new members and produced an album that is absolutely phenomenal. Paul Brewster continues to add those high harmonies bringing back memories of traditional sounds from long ago. The one thing that is most evident about this and other Skaggs bluegrass albums is that Ricky loves this music. It shows! Keep playing Ricky, and thank God that you're here to keep that old sound going. Oh, and one more thing. If you don't like fast playing and great singing, don't buy this one.

There is absolutely no way for me to describe this CD in words. You have to listen to it. Ricky has once again outdone himself with this superior CD. From the first selection, "Shady Grove" to the last "Roll in my sweet baby's arms", Ricky takes you on a pleasure trip down the bluegrass trail. His voice is as powerful as ever, his playing top-notch and his band has never sounded better. A couple of the songs may not be what one would consider "traditional bluegrass" but overall, this is a very well balanced CD. The song "Half Way Home Cafe" is one that is sure to become a favorite. I would give this CD 10 stars if allowed.

Ricky Skaggs has done it again! Another great CD. Excellent singing,superb picking and wonderful material. All cuts on this CD are very strong with a couple tunes that remind one of his early country material. If you can listen to this CD without tapping your toes you don't have a pulse!!!!!!!!