Customer Reviews

In The Life

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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!!!

"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!

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.

"...In The Life" is Open Road's 3rd Album, and like previous releases, it includes almost 50% new material. Also, new for this album are the bass player, fiddler, and banjo picker. Not to worry, however, instrumentals like "Suwannee River Hoedown", "Grey Eagle", and "Cheyenne Mountain Breakdown" will remove any doubts as to the qualifications of the new players. They fit right in with the traditional style that Folk & Roberts are re-popularizing.

The original tracks on the album are very good. "Sinkin' Man" is a story about a gambler with a surprise ending. "Southern Track" is an upbeat song about a 21-year-old kid leaving his small town country home. This song not only showcases Bradford Folk's outstanding tenor voice, but also his skill in using the traditional images of bluegrass music and country life. Like "Sinkin' Man", this is a very well thought out, thoughtful song.

If you are a "real" bluegrass fan, this is REAL bluegrass. Open Road contains the same instruments in their band as Del McCoury (guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, mandolin) and play around 1 mic just like Del does. If I was to compare Open Road to any well-known bluegrass act, it could only be Del McCoury, and that in itself is quite a compliment.