Customer Reviews

Storm Still Rages

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Rhonda Vincent's first CD marking her return to bluegrass, Back Home Again, won plaudits and awards, but the second, The Storm Still Rages, is better. For all the praise it garnered, the earlier recording struck me as a bit tentative and sometimes dismayingly pop-inflected, possibly because a nervous Vincent was looking over her shoulder at the phenomenally successful bluegrass-popster Alison Krauss. This time around, however, there's a confidence, an energy, and a rootedness missing last time. The songs are uniformly first-rate. Vincent wrote the opening cut, the powerful in-the-tradition "Cry of the Whippoorwill," showing yet another aspect of her considerable talent. I hadn't realized that "Don't Lie," originally recorded by Nashville hat-act Trace Adkins, is actually a pretty decent traditional country song till Vincent sang it as it should have been sung to start with. The old-time fiddle sound that opens and closes it is a stroke of genius. She wins my thanks for resurrecting my favorite Hank Williams song, "My Sweet Love Ain't Around," and pulling it off in a way that I'm sure Hank would have loved. "Is the Grass Any Bluer?" is a touching -- and gratifyingly nonmawkish -- tribute to Bill Monroe, without whom this recording, or any bluegrass recording, would not exist. That bluegrass can still sound as good as it does here, decades after Monroe brought it into the world, reminds us that Monroe's is a gift that just keeps on giving.

Rhonda Vincent gives us yet another outstanding bluegrass CD. A few years ago she tried to "go country" and even though the CD's were good she could not crack the "radio play" mentality of country music today, she was probably too bluegrass. This CD presents Rhonda at her ever improving best. She has been in this business a long time and knows how it should be done.

Her vocals are extraordinary and her band is full of excellent pickers. This album features some of the best in the business including Tom Adams, Bryan Sutton, Darrin Vincent, Stuart Duncan, Mike Cleveland, Sonya Isaacs, Rob Ickes, Alison Krauss, and Aubrey Haynie. Audie Blaylock and Rhonda sing some of the most wonderful harmonies known to bluegrass. With power and soul!

"Is the Grass Any Bluer" is a nice tribute to the father of bluegrass, the late Bill Monroe. "Drivin' Nails In My Coffin" is a story of a heartbroken person drinking themselves to death. "My Sweet Love Ain't Around" is such a strong vocal song that it will cut right through you. This CD is one great song followed by a good song and so on.

Do yourself a favor and purchase this CD. You will not regret it.

Those of you who know Rhonda's music will certainly be pleased with this new release, from the opening "Cry of The Whippoorwill" to the fun, fast take of the "Martha White Theme." Her ... band, The Rage, is joined by several special guests well-known to fans of the bluegrass world; Alison Krauss, Sonya Isaacs, Stuart Duncan and others. This collection includes "high lonesomed"-up takes of some old favorites, "Just Someone I Used To Know" and "My Sweet Love Ain't Around" among them. These and all the other tracks benefit from Rhonda's sweet, skilled voice throughout (amazingly acrobatic on "My Sweet Love...") paired with tasteful, well-realized instrumental arrangements. Michael Cleveland's fiddle playing is a standout throughout, as is Vincent's tasteful melodic mandolin playing. If you loved "Back Home Again", you'll love this collection, and if you just know Rhonda from seeing her on the Opry or in live performance, you'll want to get this album; there's not a filler on here, and we're sure to be hearing from her for a good long time. If you are fortunate enough to have Rhonda and the Rage playing nearby, do not miss the opportunity to see her. She's a wonderful live performer, giving all she's got from the time she hits the stage 'til the last chord rings out. "The Storm Still Rages" is a "Bluegrass Express" straight to the heart of bluegrass music, and one that even a casual fan of the genre is sure to enjoy.

This cd is as good as bluegrass gets, it amazes me more and more with each listen. Rhonda has a fiery passion for 'grass that is nicely coupled by subtle contemporary country overtones. This cd has everything, powerful driving straight ahead blue grass rock outs and moving ballads. If you are a blue grass fan, you can't miss this cd.

I read about it last week just before it came out. I have the last CD she made and I loved it. I am a Missouri born bluegrass lover and play the banjo some. I live in Pennsylvania now but hear and know a lot of bluegrass pickers. I went out this weekend and found this new CD. I paid more money than usual and would be glad to do it again. This album is one of the best I have ever heard. There is not a song on there that you want to skip over. The music is just outstanding. All instruments are superb. I have played it for 3 days continuously. The song about Bill Monroe is the only song I have heard that really does him justice. He would be proud to hear it. Rhonda and the Rage are true blugrass and I honestly believe this will be the album of the year. It's just the best.

Like many people in the last few years, I suspect, my knowledge of bluegrass music starts and pretty much ends with the soundtrack of O Brother Where Art Thou, so I don't pretend to have any insight to add to the country v. bluegrass debate. But I'm not deaf, and I sure recognize talent when a startling voice like Vincent's shakes up my bones and gets the juices flowing immediately. I first heard "Driving Nails in My Coffin" on car radio during a long roadtrip, and nearly drove off the road trying to write down her name. Vincent is a perfect example of the rule that substance always trumps form, whether it's art, music, or literature. I don't really care what you call this type of music. Vincent has a voice that transcends genre or style. Whatever it is, I can't wait to hear more of it!

I like this CD a lot and the only reason it falls one star short is that the material is a little uneven and the tunes that aren't really strong are pretty weak. There is some very fine playing, particularly some fiddling by someone named Audie Haynie, and Vincent's voice is solid as always. "I'm Not Over You" is a classic honky-tonk heartbreak tune, she more than does justice to Hank Williams' "Just Somone I Used To Know", and her harmony with Alison Krauss on " When The Angels Sing" is,well, heavenly. I have to say that nobody but Lester Flatt should sing the "Martha White Flour" theme, but Rhonda gives it a game effort. Good CD....It'll keep you listening to it for a while.

Rhonda Vincent is by far, the finest voice in bluegrass today. It is impossible for any review to do her voice justice; her delivery and crystal clear lonesome sound leaves the competition in the dust.....and that goes especially for another (more famous) female "bluegrass" performer that has long lost her way (are you listening Ms Krauss?). Rhonda's performance on "The Storm Still Rages" will send chills down your spine, and if you have any appreciation for real bluegrass and country music, this cd will flat knock you out. I have tried to pin down her influences, but yet, her voice is so unlike any of the pioneers of bluegrass, yet is instantly recognizable. This is the voice of the rolling hills of Virginia, or the gray, hazy, mountains of the Smokies, or the dark hollows of Kentucky and West Virginia. I hope she stays true to her sound; Lord knows, we need it. This album is just plain outstanidng, but there are a few "stand-outs" that deserve special mention. "Is The Grass any Bluer" is a brilliantly penned and delivered song revering Mr Bill Monroe; "Driving Nails in My Coffin" is the finest cover of this Ernest Tubb tune yet; "You Dont Love God..." is a beautiful gospel song that is reminiscent of summer Camp Meetings; but the finest, is by far, "I'm Not Over You" which showcases Rhonda's voice perfectly. Forget the current "NewGrass" being pushed today, and get back to the basics and tradition of true Bluegrass music. And, if you want to hear how a Martin Flat Top is played, this album will deliver!!!! A++++

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon here in Tennessee and I just got home from seeing Rhonda Vincent bring a very savy bluegrass crowd to its feet in Tazwell, Tennessee! I, having looked at the cover of this CD, expected a soft a sultry voiced diva of bluegrass and as I listen to the CD now I am amazed at how difficult it is sometimes to capture the energy of a live performance on record. Maybe I just need to turn the volume up! ..........AAAhhh that's it! I originally just downloaded the samples from Amazon so I had a hint of what her performance was going to be. I think if you will just imagine Rhonda BELTING, and I mean BELTING!, out these songs you will get a begining to an understanding of what she is capable of. I couldn't help but think..... A Dolly Parton in a new package. Absolutely terrific in all respects, this record captures what a talent she is...... And the Rage, her band, well let's just say they are musically her equal and very exciting in the recording studio too as evidenced on this CD. A great substitute if you can't have the real thing in person. The tracks on the CD are consistently pleasing.... Rhonda Vincent, Audie Blaylock, Mike Cleveland, and Tom Adams and the others on this recording all obviously enjoy their work...(in other words........click "add to cart").........Thank you Rhonda!

If you like Traditional Country Bluegrass Music; then you will Love [ Rhonda Vincent and The Rage ] Her articulate recording of the Great Wilma Lee and Stoney Coopers { Each Season Changes You}is enough to place her on top of any Ladies Bluegrass Groups now.And as for the Great Recording of { Just someone I use to Know } by Porter and Dolly. I believe anyone would agree after hearing it by Rhonda; that it has never been done better and I say this with all Due Respect to Porter and Dolly. This lady and her group ' The Rage' is like a breath of fresh mountain air in todays music. She truly does carry the 'Martha White' banner Proudly. And that comes from a 'Flatt and Scruggs' follower of many, many years.