Customer Reviews

Lifes a Ride

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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For the last twenty years or so, Donna the Buffalo has been playing some of the most sincere, heartfelt, and giddy music to come out of any genre. And that's not to say that they have a one particular genre of their own: quite the contrary - not even the most rigid categorist could pigeonhole this Trumansburg, N.Y. sextet. Joyfully, they make us dance to the sounds of rock-a-billy, zydeco, reggae, roots, bluegrass, blues, and countless others.
I grew up in the Fingerlakes region of Upstate New York, in the land where Donna the Buffalo formed and quickly gained legions of faithful back in the mid-eighties: a time when most folks were chanting the mantra "me, me, me" - Donna the Buffalo started making music that said - and made everyone else say - "us, us, us." Their music is communalistic and loving, but far from corny idealism. And weather they are playing for a small crowd of a few hundred, or a large festival of many thoousands, it always feels like a mid-summer backyard get together with your closest friends.
Donna's newest album, "Life's a Ride", is a joyous continuation of what all of us Donna fans - old and new - have been enchanted by for years: shameless positivity, hypnotizing groove, and the uplifting of the human spirit. Try not to grin and abandon all pretense during "Way Back When" or "Blue Sky" - or the Zydeco of "Walk on Water". On the mellow side, "Rockin' Horse" is sure to be a new Jeb Puryear classic.
If you're new to Donna, you can't go wrong starting with any of their CD's (although I particularly reccomend Live from the American Ballroom). They are all perfect examples of the love and joy that this band exists to fill us with.

Even with the loss of rhythm guitarist Jim Miller, Donna and company still manage to kick out the jams in the way that only they can. Songs like "Blue Skies" and "Greatest Love" show that they have not lost that feel-good vibe, while "Deeds of a Few" and "Love and Gasoline" showcase the considerable songwriting ablility of Jeb and Tara respectively. They just keep getting better; anyone who follows them on tour knows what I'm talking about.

People struggle with a classification for Donna the Buffalo, so here goes mine: An eclectic jam band that writes excellent songs and is fun for the whole family. I "discovered" Donna the Buffalo about three years ago when I stumbled across a review of a show on the internet. I have been a great fan ever since and my enthusiasm for them spread to my wife and two daughters. Donna the Buffalo introduced me to musical forms that I was not real aware of (old time music and zydeco) and now love, as well as some musical instruments you don't normally hear in a rock band (accordion, fiddle, rubboard). "Life's a Ride" was eagerly anticipated by Donna fans and does not disappoint. The songs are excellent but there is a lack of an extended jam that you would hear at a live show. That's really nit-picking though because I love the album. My favorites are "Blue Skies", "Rockin' Horse", "Life's a Ride", and "Everyday". Check out the album, but see them live if you want a real treat, they particularly shine in the summer festival season.

I first bought Positive Friction as an Amazon recommendation. After a first listen, I decided it was a mistake and it went to the basement of my ipod. For some reason, I had an urge months later to pull it back up . . . and fell in love with it--every song on it. They have a folkie-country-rock sound that is difficult to plug into a specific category. Life's a Ride is my second and I warmed up to it immediately. Some excellent strong songs on it with the strong vocals, excellent lyics, and rhythms being the best for me. I urge everyone to give it a few listens before making a judgement--their sound is offbeat enough that it might take a few to warm up to them. Once you get it--you will realize how hot a band they are!

Great album!! To see it live you should go to Suwannee SpringFest 2011 in Live Oak, FL March 24-27. Discounted tickets for students and military. more info and tickets at [...]

Love Donna the Buffalo. Great cd, which every one we have purchased has been. Unique sound. Even went to see them twice in Birmingham... cool band

I think this is one of their best. Not only is the songwriting pretty strong, especially Tara's stuff, but the production on this one is really good.

I miss Jimmy Miller. He probably had the best voice in the band, but the really nice sound of the album and great songwriting balances the loss out.