Customer Reviews

No Turning Back

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

 

 

This veteran group really comes on strong as they start out with a bluesy number, "Them Blues". These guys play as a unit, there are no guest musicians, and it sounds like it was recorded live.
This group is full of tradition, but their playing and excellence in recording with some effects gives them somewhat more of an acoustic country band sound, but they can play bluegrass riffs with the best.
"Dime Store Rings" is an excellent uptempo ballad with great lyrics and a a real cohesive sound. Their instrument playing is original and will get ya movin'. Their vocals are real tight and emotive, plus original sounding too. "Wires and Wood" is a tremendous song, both vocally and instrumentally. This is a simple, but very rich sounding recording. Overall, real warm sounding.
"Not There Yet" is an excellent uptempo ballad written by guitarist Brandon Rickman and someone else. I love the excellent hooks and the way it blends music with lyrics.
Each song I hear, I love this group more and there are a lot of great groups out there today ,such as Blue Highway, Mountain Heart and Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain.
"Lonesome River Band" is Brandon Rickman - guitar, vocal/ Andy Ball - mandolin, piano,vocal/ Sammy Shelar - banjo and vocal /Mike Anglin-bass and vocal and Mike Hartgrove - fiddle.
"Darkness Wept" is one of the most touching songs that I have ever heard of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
"Struttin to Ferrum" is an instrumental jam song. These guys are a real joy to listen to. Brandon finally erupts on the guitar and gives us a great bluegrass guitar solo. Once again, these guys are a real tight band.
"Flowers" is a sad, but happy song about redemption, death,"Look what it took, for me to finally bring you flowers" ,a real tear jerker -once again, their vocal arrangements are original and so refreshing.
Gotta tell you about one more song, "We Couldn't Tell" is about a family going through the great depression, but they didn't notice because they were poor anyway and had a real family.

I have been looking forward to a Brandon Rickman-led version of "Them Blues" on CD, and now I have it. This guy can sing! Some of the other songs are country-flavored, but most hold true to the kind of bluegrass the LRB has pioneered, thanks to the driving, rolling banjo. Sammy Shelor is the king of banjo. (In my opinion, that is!)

Pros: Hard-driving, festival-oriented bluegrass music.
Great singers and musicians.

Cons: The choice of songs isn't in general as good as some other LRB releases.

Wonderful music! This CD is so great to listen to in my car, at home and any where I go. My family has really enjoyed listening to it also. Great service to very fast and well packaged.

This band of young players from Virginia originally formed in 1983 but has experienced a few personnel changes over the years. A major change occurred in 2001. When I reviewed LRB's 2002 release "Window of Time," that included a new, debut lineup of Sammy Shelor (banjo), Brandon Rickman (guitar), Jeff Parker (mandolin), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle) and Irl Hees (bass). Jumping ahead six years to 2008, it's nice to see Lonesome River Band's line-up still includes Shelor, Rickman, and Hartgrove. The band's cohesion is immediately apparent in the music. Parker and Hees apparently have moved on, and their replacements include Andy Ball (mandolin, piano) and Mike Anglin (bass). All but Hartgrove provide vocals, and it would've been nice if this CD's jacket differentiated on the vocals between the songs. Presumably it's still Rickman who sings most of the lead vocals. Rickman also plays a major hand in the songwriting for the band, and "No Turning Back" includes four composition that he co-penned.

This quintet has been heralded as one of the band's best configurations. Their vocals are full of power and intensity. Instrumentally, the fivesome are master raconteurs fluent in the string language of bluegrass. I've always enjoyed their impressive, crisp playing. Together, they convey plenty of unique spark, verve and flair. The band is known for keeping their bluegrass snappy and energetic, but they can also deliver more melancholic moments with tunes like Larry Cordle's "Wire and Wood" or Rickman's "We Couldn't Tell."

On their twelfth album, Lonesome River Band continues to pick in high gear. Their music imparts a rhythmic intensity that is both tastefully rendered and remarkably powerful. Since 1983, these boys have managed to carve out their very own niche in the contemporary bluegrass market. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, Or.)