Customer Reviews

Mr Taylor's New Home

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

 

 

This new CD, the second offering from the Rangers,
is well worth owning. This group of young musicians
perform fresh material, most of it written by Graham
Sharp, who also is a consummate banjo player. Each of
the Rangers is a top notch musician. The vocals are
well done and smooth. Lizzie Hamilton on fiddle is a
real standout, and her vocal lead on Sharp's
"Hibriten Mountain" is possibly the best I have heard
in years. If you have a chance to see this group in
person don't miss the opportunity; they are superb
entertainers. This CD offers the Rangers at the top of their game.

These guys are the real deal. Very good. Two thumbs up . . . way, way up. If you like a sweet fiddle, fiery mandolin, skillful guitar and a rocking banjo combined with clear, honest voices singing some inspired lyrics, buy this CD. What makes these guys special is that all the while they are paying much deserved tribute to the history and legends of bluegrass and old time music, they are forging ahead with a sound that is all their own.

The second album from this accomplished young group features a majority of strong original material, led by banjoist Graham Sharp, whose best contributions are the lovely harmony piece "Hibriten Mountain" and the humorous "Money Out of Sand." "Knob Creek" is a wonderfully forlorn instrumental piece built around Mike Guggino's mandolin, and bassist Charles Humphrey supplies the car-crash drama "Norma Jean." Perhaps the most striking thing about the Steep Canyon Rangers is their restraint - they exude a naturalness in their playing that is remarkable for such a young group, and the fact that they play within their limits deserves extra applause. Each note is well placed, each song fully realized, and with five strong vocalists, their harmonies (especially on the beautiful "Good Old Country Baptizing") are among the warmest in bluegrass.

Jim Smith - All Music Guide

This album clearly demonstrates what great musicians the Rangers are, but the vocals from Lizzie are pitiful. Her voice is so insipid, it ruins the CD for me. Even though I fast forward through her songs, it's a shame that the band wasted two tracks on her. Glad to see she is no longer with the band. Later CD's are fantastic!

Saw these guys together with Jim Lauderdale on the Woodsongs Radio Hour, and they were *fantastic*, really hot. Mr. Taylor's New Home was one of the songs they played on Woodsongs, leading me to get this disc. I guess it's alright, but it pales in comparison to their live performance. If I'd heard this first I might have liked it better.

I must say this group has one heck of a sound and its fabulous. Highly recommend to any bluegrass fan!