Customer Reviews

Keep It Simple

5 star:		(8)
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I saw these guys open for Cake 3 years ago and have been a rabid fan since. They managed to upstage the headliners and convert all of us art rock fans into square-dancin' hillbillies by the end of their set. The Hackensaw Boys have managed to capture what has been missing from most music for so long:passion and purity. While consisting of up to 12 members at a time, they manage to keep their sound unbelievably tight and and make keeping up with the frantic pace of such toe tappers as "Nashville" seem as natural and easy as breathing. Songs like "Smilin Must Mean Something" and "Grandma" slow down the pace and seem to touch an emotional core that I can only compare to hearing Bob Dylan for the first time. Their lyrics and melodies just speak so clearly and deeply without using the pretintious metaphores preferred by many artist today. It's the spirit of the music that is allowed to shine through.The Hackensaws are not only one of the best undiscovered bands around, but one of the best bands,period.

We just came from the Suwanee Fall Festival in Live Oak Fla. The Hackensaw Boys came onstage first thing Sat. morning. At first the crowd was tired and laid-back, but then they realized what was going on. WOW!!! I've been a bluegrass fan for years and play the banjo myself. I was blown away. My wife ran to their stand to get the CD. There was a line growing right from the start, I know they sold out.
The freshest new sound (or I might say, old sound). Lots of original stuff. Fun. These guys were great! I overheard several people around me say they were the most memorable act there and these people know their folk music. The Hackensaw Boys bring back the square dance to Bluegrass. That's the highest compliment I can give. So much Bluegrass now has gotten so mechanical, almost industrial. They've even followed Country into the broken heart treadmill. Yetch!! That's starting to turn fans off. Sure, being able to pick a great solo is impressive, but there's something called heart. That's why people listen to folk in the first place. Heart, you have it, or you're just a technician playing scales.
More impressive, these guys write their own songs. "Grandma," brought tears to my eyes and I'm not even slightly religous. Wow to the fiddle and dobro player. If America had any musical taste, these guys would be declared national treasures.
Get it! Get it! Get it!!!

I am on my 3rd CD. I wore out the 1st and the 2nd was stolen. You will be so impressed, if you are a bluegrass fan. All are catchy original tunes and will keep your toes and fingers tapping. My 9 year old neice, who listens to pop, loves to hear the Hackensaw Boys everytime we are together. You will not be disappointed. Also, catch them "live" if you can!

If you like 1940s and 1950s bluegrass, old timey music, or mountain string bands like Yonder Mountain String Band, you'll love the Hackensaw Boys. (Most modern bluegrass bands sound to me like they're playing country music on traditional instruments.)

As a listener of mostly Rock and Roll and some country I bought this CD for the hell of it. That was about 3 weeks ago. Now it is one of my favorite. It is truely a great CD from a bunch of truely gifted musicians. I would recomend this CD to anyone. It is fun, it is funny it is simply great music. I just can't say enough about this CD.

There's a certain raw, unpolished energy to this group's bluegrass that embodies the essense of real bluegrass music. Unpolished doesn't mean unsophisticated or low quality, however, as it complex ensemble music at its best. Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, well, it don't get no more authentic! So many bluegrass groups simply play one solo after another, which can be entertaining, but sometimes unsatisfying. While the Hackensaw Boys do the occasional breakout 8-measure solo, it's more about the group, less about the individual. Their own compositions are refreshing yet retain a traditional feel. When the Hackensaw Boys play, you don't feel like you're in a concert hall -- you feel like you're on their front porch. It's evening and the crickets are chiping. Your feet are tapping to their rhythms and your heart skips a little with every harmony. I couldn't think of a higher complement for true bluegrass.

This CD blew me away. I normally don't like country music, but my daughter recommended this CD and it is really nice listening. The songs are varied and original. Watch for the Hackensaw Boys to become famous one day!

Such an amazing recording. New music that takes you back. Makes me want to dance, dance, dance!!!! 9 musicians sharing two mics. Amazing! Stop reading and get this. Get it!!!