5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine band on the leading edge of the bluegrass renaissance, September 5, 2003
This review is from: A Place Called Home (Audio CD)
Playing Time: 37:33 -- With four expert pickers, three of them lead singers, and seven excellent newly composed numbers from David Coffey, the Virginia-based band, Phoenix, is back with another fantastic bluegrass project. The band is truly an up-and-coming group to keep your eyes on. Phoenix is David Coffey (guitar), Eddie King (mandolin), Randy Driskill (banjo), and Ronnie Davis (bass). Coffey, King and Driskill share the lead vocal duties, and a few more liner notes would've been nice to know who's singing when. While I think a tad bit of hot, tasteful guest fiddle would've enhanced this project, the instrumental and vocal work are strong, nicely-arranged, and well-blended. Although he's not credited in the liner notes, I believe it's Coffey who adds some resophonic guitar to "A Mother's Love." I like their mix of new, fresh originals combined with old jamming standards such as "Think of What You've Done," "This Morning at Nine," and "Wandering Boy" even though some may feel these classics have been over-done. Besides Driskill's crisp banjo, it is Coffey's songsmithing that really makes this album sparkle. Contemporary songs like "Angels in my Dreams," the title cut, and "You've Been So Good To Me" have the potential to become tomorrow's bluegrass standards. I hope these songs get wide distribution, airplay, and coverage by other artists.
"A Place Called Home" is the third CD release from this band that's been together for about five years (their other outstanding albums include "Rising From The Ashes" and "Blue Ridge Frame of Mind"). The band members, all Virginia born and bred, demonstrate considerable musical talent and skill. David Coffey is a multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Lew Dewitt, the Judds, George Jones, Patty Loveless, Keith Whitley and his own band, Virginia Blend. A little research shows that Phoenix's other members have been around too. Mandolinist Eddie King has played with Bluegrass Horizon, Harvest, Silvercreek, Bill Harrell and the Virginians, and he has filled in with Larry Sparks, J.D. Crowe, and Country Gentlemen. Five-string player Randy Driskill has picked with Chief Powhatan, Harvest, Skyline Express, Alvin Breeden and the Virginia Cut-Ups and Lonesome River Band. Finally, bassman Ronnie Davis' first band was called "Allegheny," then he played with Alvin Breeden and the Virginia Cut-Ups, Sweetwater, Skyline Express, and the Country Gentlemen.
Phoenix was formed when four friends that grew up together decided to revive their music and work jointly and cooperatively as a unit. Building on their professional backgrounds, musical experience, and traditional roots, this renewal is turning some heads. These guys know how to put on a musical show, and they enjoy kicking back with friends and sharing stories and laughs too. With one foot in tradition and the other in the future, Phoenix is a fine band that has emerged on the leading edge of the renaissance in bluegrass music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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