Customer Reviews

Starting Over

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was introduced to Bowman last year by a bluegrass enthusiast. I enjoyed "Cold Virginia Night" enough to pick up "The Man I'm Trying to Be," which I also enjoyed. Still, I felt that Bowman hadn't quite hit his stride, and I wondered if he ever would. That question's been answered with "Starting Over." This is outstanding! The melodies are utterly compelling, the playing predictably first-rate (with a host of bluegrass legends accompanying Bowman), and the content appropriate for a post-divorce album. That's not to say this CD is depressing, however; Bowman uses the music as catharthis, creating an uplifting and addictive (you've been forewarned) work. I can *not* stop listening to this. It's one of the two or three best CDs I've listened to in 2002.

Bowman's third solo album, and the first since he left the Lonesome River Band, is a winner. The new material is first-rate and was written by Craig Market, Wayne Winkle, Shawn and Gracie Lane, Jay Don Johnson, Dennis E. Todd, David Via, Tim Massey, Don and Tina Rigsby, Bowman himself and others. Songwriter Craig Market either wrote or collaborated on the writing of five contemporary selections, with "Rise Above" and "What She Didn't Say" being standouts. The title cut, "Starting Over," provides good advice for someone with a broken heart. The band picks up the drive potient, however, on the more traditional sounding "Lonely Quit Knocking On My Door," and "Stone Cold Blue." When the band lays into Tim Massey's novelty tune, "I'll Be Dogged," you're guaranteed to smile out loud. I like Bowman's singing, but I wonder if compression used in the mixing process doesn't accentuate his breathing a little too much between the vocal phrasings on this album. That aside, Ronnie Bowman sings with a great deal of honesty, feeling and emotion.

The arrangements and presentation are hot and nifty. Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas, Ron Stewart, Ton Rice, Tim Stafford, Aubrey Haynie, Mark Casstevens are a few of the guest artists helping out. Two cuts, Rise Above and Go Home, include Tom Roady's percussion in the mix. I was prepared to question its utility but find that it is a tasty complement to the songs, not annoying or distracting. Harmony vocals are added by Craig Market, Dan Tyminski, Garnet Imes, Steve Gulley, and Michael Hunt. "Starting Over" is a high-flying hummer of an album. The bluegrass vocals, instrumentals, arrangements, and song selection don't get much better than this. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

It's taken over 30 years to turn a native Tennessean into a bluegrass lover. Granted, I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I've been crazy about Ronnie Bowman's new CD Starting Over since I first heard the title cut on WNCW several months ago. I bought the CD within a week & I've played it nonstop. I've even taken the time to sit down on my couch and do nothing but listen to the CD - that's very unusual. I'm usually always doing something while listening to music. I can't tell you technical things that make this an awesome CD. All I know is that I love everything about this CD - the music, the lyrics & particularly Bowman's voice. I'm already on the Sugar Hill website looking for opportunities to catch Ronnie Bowman in concert. Looks good for this summer.

a couple of great songs - but overall just a good album. R. B. later albums evolved into top-notch stuff!

The money you pay for this CD is worth 'Rye Whiskey' alone. Greatest song ever. The rest of the songs are also good forunately.

If you're looking for bluegrass and don't want the old folk's music, this is for you. Dan Tyminski and Jerry Douglas from Union Station lend a hand on this record. Upbeat and melodic. Vocals are pleasant and somewhat James Taylor-ish.

It's taken over 30 years to turn a native Tennessean into a bluegrass lover. Now I'm no expert, but I've been listening to it all - the old and the new - and I know what I like. I have been absolutely crazy about Ronnie Bowman's Starting Over CD since hearing the title cut on WNCW a few months ago. I bought the CD within a week and have been playing it nonstop. I even sat down on my couch one day and did nothing but listen to the whole CD. That's very unusual - normally I'm doing things while listening to music. I can't tell you the technical things that make this an awesome CD. I just love the music, lyrics and Bowman's voice. Can't wait to catch him in concert!!

Ronnie Bowman is amazing!! "Starting Over" is a REAL gem! EVERY song, and I mean EVERY song is good on this CD. Just go get it.

A smooth, well-produced, poppish bluegrass album, with trad-tinged-yet-sweet vocals that sound an awful lot like Ricky Skaggs did when he set out as a solo artist in the late '70s... No surprise, since Bowman and Skaggs have been pals for years. Bowman is best known as the bass player for the Lonesome River Band, but as we can hear on this album, his third solo outing, he can definitely hold his own as a solo singer. About half the tunes on this disc drift into the soft style of crossover ballads that's making Alison Krauss a hick music superstar; doubtless some of that magic will rub off on Bowman, too, since he's got the formula down pat. Plenty of straight-ahead, traditional-sounding material, too, which should keep fans of the uptempo stuff happy too.

Ronnie's CD is pretty good, and packed full of bluegrass superstars. I've really enjoyed the CD, but it's not a hardcore bluegrass album. He's pretty much the James Taylor of bluegrass: smooth vocals and melodies, less of the rock bottom lonesome stuff.