The Goat Rodeo Sessions

Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 21, 2011
• Label: Sony Classical
• Copyright: (P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 57:19
• Genres:
  • Classical
• ASIN: B005V8XG5C
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,237 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 96 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! We're off to Grammy's house..... October 25, 2011

By sprint

Format:MP3 Music

Of all the Sony recordings with Edgar as the common denominator (Appalachian Waltz, Appal. Journey, Short Trip Home, his solo effort, Melody of the Rhythm), this one is by far the best! My favorite instrumental up to this point was "Look Away" with Edgar, Chris and Joshua Bell. The Goat Rodeo album is very much in the same spirit as "Look Away." Overall, an incredible blend of Celtic, Classical and Jazz/Funk stylings topped off with 2 tracks that include vocals by that lady from 'Crooked Still' and Chris. The addition of guitar, piano and banjolin (I think) makes it stand out even more from the other ones. Way to go, Stuart, Yo Yo, Chris & Edgar! The new Fab Four!

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars World class musicians playing fabulous music October 28, 2011

By E. Strickenburg

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Vibrant and varied, this album is a wonderful addition to the classical crossover genre. Some tracks made me want to get up and dance, others were melancholy and heart rending. The musicians are all world class, and the music is of original composition. The fire and drive of the bluegrass world meets with the clarity and class of the classical world, and something new is born.

Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma have collaborated successfully before on albums such as Appalachia Waltz and Appalachian Journey, but this album reaches new levels of musical interest and variety. In this collaboration, they've added two more fabulous musicians to the mix: Chris Thile on mandolin (originally of Nickel Creek fame) and Stuart Duncan on fiddle (session musician with the big names in Nashville). This album relies primarily on instrumental work, but each track has a unique sound. The album never sounds repetitive. At times, the musicians even pull out instruments we're not used to hearing them play: we hear Meyer on the gamba and piano, Duncan on the banjo and mandolin, and Thile on the guitar, fiddle, gamba, and vocals.

The album flows well, and I enjoyed it in its entirety. "Here and Heaven" and "No One but You," which both include vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, are particularly wonderful. I also thoroughly enjoyed "Less is Moi," with its catchy and surprising rhythm. I think my favorite track, though, was "Franz the Eagle" -- I can't get over the beauty of the piano and cello duet in this haunting and majestic piece.

43 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Man... is this GOOD! October 24, 2011

By J. Wilczewski

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This may be the best recording I have heard in 20 years... I say "may" because all four of these musicians have recorded other projects that I also enjoy immensely. As I listen my soul is refreshed. I will be waiting to see the Grammy acceptance speech for this project! Do not pass this up!