In The Life

Open Road | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0001XAPNI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,408 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > Contemporary

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Ol' Traditional Bluegrass!!, June 29, 2005

By 

M. Ross "Matty 'Geetar' Ross" (The Hills of Western PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In The Life (Audio CD)

I first saw these guys playing live on the Cumberland Highlanders Show!! I was really taken by their demeanor, not to mention their outstanding musicianship!! These are "just regular guys"(Bradford is a farmer, and Caleb wears what appear to be horned rim glasses) having fun playing bluegrass, and that's how they sound!! I am a bluegrass musician, and, until hearing them do "Bald Knob Arkansas", I never heard anyone other than the Louvin Brothers, or myself perform that song!! A real "Chestnut"!! Another awesomely strange tune is "Mandy Jane", even though it's about a father losing his daughter, it will have you dancing or at least tapping your toe with its infectiously intense drive and groove!! I respect the fact that Open Road keeps within the traditional music style(and dress), while still able to write some great originals, all somewhat paying homage to their forefathers! I am hard to please when it comes to new "bluegrass" bands, especially after hearing all the "wannabee" bandwagon jumpers, after the "Oh Brother Where art Thou" craze!! These guys aren't jumpers, they are "The Wagon"!! Their music will have you jumpin'!!! If you like this cd, check out The Vern Williams Band!! It will also cure your need for a "Real" bluegrass "fix"!!! Yee-Haw!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic twang, February 4, 2005

By 

Michael R. Nothstine (Wilmore, Ky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In The Life (Audio CD)

"In The Life" is a pre-modern authentic bluegrass sound that will have traditionalists raving. I must admit I am tired of the blue jeans and vest, "third time out of the closet" acts. They dress how bluegrass musicians are supposed to dress. If you want more than an over produced slick sound check these guys named "Open Road" out.

The instrumentals on this album are top notch and innovative. The vocals of the lead singers, especially Brandford Lee Folk is a throw back and still equally unique for his profession and genre. I love the high lonesome twang! The music is driving and powerful, with plenty of breaks to show off the impressive vocals and tight harmonies.

This entire album is great. I feel the best stuff showcases the powerful nasal twang of the lead singing, especially on "One is a lonely number," yikes that is the sound I have been waiting for. Another dynamic and sad song is the hard driving "Mandy Jane" about a father who loses his young daughter. I love these guys. I admire how they pay homage to the history of their music and really display how professional and authentic their sound is. This is amazing, classic, and unique hard bluegrass twang for the traditional bluegrass fan!

5.0 out of 5 stars great old time sound., October 18, 2004

By 

Bluegrass lover (Rosine Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In The Life (Audio CD)

Wow. These guys really have the old style down. Yet they don't continue to do the same old worn out songs that is the tradition with so many good bluegrass bands. This band has real drive and great harmonies. Be warned this is not for the faint of heart. This isn't your fake grass like Allison kraus or any of her contemporaries. This band has the high lonesome sound. If I had to own one bluegrass album this is it.