Up on the Ridge

Dierks Bentley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol Nashville
• ASIN: B003DU50RW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,933 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 release from the Country superstar. The all-acoustic Up On The Ridge is a powerful, beautiful album steeped in the Bluegrass and Roots music that moved Dierks Bentley to be a Country musician in the first place. Dozens of talents have contributed in some way to this project. Besides the five co-written by Dierks himself, the songs come from such varied sources as Bob Dylan, Buddy and Julie Miller, U2 and Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson participated on the project as a guest vocalist as well, along with a slate of today's best traditional Country singers, including: Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Sonya Isaacs and Chris Stapleton of the Steeldrivers. Players on the project include: Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers, the Del McCoury Band, the legendary Sam Bush, dobro player Rob Ickes, guitarist Bryan Sutton, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and mandolinist Ronnie McCoury.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars About damn time... June 11, 2010

By DanD VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I eagerly bought and listened to Dierks Bentley's first three albums. They were different than everything else on the radio; true, he was pretty much following the formula set down by Waylon Jennings (and even lifted a few of Waylon's rhythms), but it was still a nice change from the regular mainstream pace. And then Bentley kind of petered out; MODERN DAY DRIFTER and LONG TRIP ALONE just weren't as good as his debut, even if they featured a handful of amazing songs.

That's why I didn't really pay attention when Bentley released a new album (I completely ignored his last couple). Yet, when I began listening to the tracks and discovered that it was a bluegrass album, I bought it. I'm all for mainstream singers cutting loose Nashville's chains and doing what they want (I'm waiting for the day Toby Keith decides to give radio the finger...still waiting...I should probably give up...). UP ON THE RIDGE is, at its heart, a bluegrass concept album, filled with minor-key songs about love and life. Some have decidedly upbeat lyrics ("Fiddlin' Around"), and some use up-tempo melodies to convey not-so-happy lyrics ("You're Dead to Me" and "Bad Angel"). Yet this is not a feel-good album; it's an album by a man not quite happy with his musical surroundings (Bentley hasn't had a genuine hit in a few years, I don't think), who has decided to play outside radio. RIDGE won't have much radio success; in this day and age of hick anthems, blindly patriotic lyrics, and bubblegum pop sensibilities, country music has turned its bearded cheek to bluegrass. So be it; quite a few of us don't even bother turning the radio on anymore (God bless satellite radio, though)....

Bentley is joined by a few compatriots, notably from outside mainstream country: Del McCoury, Chris Thile, the Punch Brothers, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, and producer/songwriter Jon Randall. Some of the material here is top notch: Bentley shines on Kristofferson's darkly humorous "From the Battle to the Bottom," even if he doesn't capture the original's whimsy (and Kristofferson, unfortunately, is not in top form voice-wise, though he's still a welcome addition); "Down in the Mine" is a hauntingly beautiful tune; "Bad Angel" features engaging performances by Lambert and Johnson, two of the few reasons to actually listen to contemporary country music. Some other songs are solid, if not among Bentley's best, and while Bob Dylan's "Senor" is a wonderful skeptic's tune, it doesn't quite fit Bentley or the album (it's more Chris Thile's territory, which is probably why he sings on it).

Overall, UP ON THE RIDGE is a solid album from a man who's finally doing what he wants (again; I still say his debut album was a fine example of classic-style country music). It won't sell as well as his previous records, and it won't overwhelm radio with any hits, and casual fans who expect the usual mainstream affair will be turned off. But those of us who appreciate high-caliber music with genuine soul, music that comes from an old, deep place that is never mined out, will rejoice at the album. It's not a classic, and it has its weak spots, but it's still a fine return to form for Dierks Bentley, who's still one of the more promising country artists out there. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh new / old Country Bluegrass blend July 1, 2010

By Pirate Fan

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great album and the most listen-able work the Punch Brothers have done so far.

Why mention the Punch Brothers?

Well, Dierks Bently is a smart, smooth, singer songwriter who has brains, humor and a balanced taste that shows he appreciates good song writing and fine musicians. He gathered together some great music here.

But in my mind, the most amazing feat he accomplished was to show that the Punch Brothers are at their best when they are eased back in musical music. Too bad they don't find this kind of musical ease on their own. They make one top-notch backup band -- like hiring the Eagles in 1973. How do you pull off that kind of a coup? I guess brilliance recognizes brilliance.

As with the work of those greats, this album is far greater than the sum of its parts.

You will buy no better set of songs for many years.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is as good as it gets June 8, 2010

By Terry Mathews

Format:Audio CD

Got my hands on a copy of the CD this morning.

My goodness ... this is good.

Takes a lot of courage to step away from "them that brung ya" to the dance, but by taking a break from his pop-infused country and making friends with some blazing bluegrass, Bentley proves he's more than just a pretty face. He co-wrote 5 of the tunes, including the title cut and my favorite, "Draw Me A Map." He also covers Dyan and Kristofferson, with a little Verlon Thompson thrown in for good measure.

Alison Krauss, Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert also make guest appearances.

This one will be in rotation on my CD and iPod for a long time to come. Look for "Up on the Ridge" to clean up at awards time.

Enjoy!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bentley Makes the Bluegrass "Ridge" Viable Again June 8, 2010

By Timothy Yap TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Prime Cuts: Love Grows Wild, Draw Me a Map, Fallin' for You

Call it progressive bluegrass or acoustic Americana, Dierks Bentley has indeed taken a chance with this new disc "Up on the Ridge." Though he has built up a cachet of hits including 7 number i hits and 3 number 1 albums, few with his stature would take such a risky excursion by recording an album worth of bluegrass/acoustic entries. Patty Loveless, Lorrie Morgan and Alan Jackson had taken such detours before in recording such side projects, but they were fraught with commercial disappointment at the chagrin of the money-hungry record executives. Considering the fact that lead single and title track "Up on the Ridge" has already made headlines in the top 40 region of the country charts, looks like Bentley will be the exception to the rule. This time round, Bentley has ditched long time friend and co-producer Brett Beavers in favour of former recording artist and songwriter Jon Randall Stewart to warm the co-producer chair. And if you are a fan of old time bluegrass and wouldn't mind a contemporary slant, this disc is choked full of great tunes. With Bentley co-writing only 5 cuts with new tunes coming from Nashville's top scribes including Shawn Camp, Paul Kennerley, John Scott Sherrill, Verlon Thompson and Suzi Ragsdale. And up the bar on the standard of the songs, he has audaciously turned Bob Dylan's "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" and U2's "Pride" into bluegrass covers.

Of note also is the line up of artists that are brought in for some grab of credibility and star power. As if to win him some brownie points with bluegrass purists, Chris Tile and the Punch Brothers join Bentley on a sped up version of Dylan's "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" where Bentley goes around searching for his missing girl.... The search doesn't sound that lonesome with Chris Tile's smooth Vince Gill-like tenor that goes so well with Bentley's more rugged vocals. Miranda Lambert adds rawness to "Bad Angel" -a quasi-Gospel romp about a man shrugging off vices at the "crossroads of Salvation and Temptation Streets." While Jamey Johnson with his world-weary gruffness brings a realistic feel to the man's battle with the bottle. Kris Kristofferson, on the other hand, sounds worn out and short of breadth on "Bottle to the Bottom" that becomes distracting. While the Alison Krauss' echoey vocals sounds like she was singing in a well on the progressive bluegrass title cut "Up on the Ridge"--a pretty non-descript song relative to the rest of the album.

Of the newer songs, Shawn Camp and Paul Kennerley's bluesy "Fallin' for You" is hypnotic with a robust melody made even more delightful with its banjo and fiddle licks. "Draw Me A Map" finds Bentley on more romantic grounds as he croons with affection to find his way into his lady's heart. A definite must for those who like to experience the warmer side of Bentley. Julie and Buddy Miller, often earmarked by their eccentric Americana endeavours, have ironically submitted the most commercial viable track here. "Love Grows Wild" sounds like a future hit with its catchy melody and it's endearing lyrics. Bravura is Bentley to taper U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" chiming guitar riffs into something more rustic without sacrificing an iota of the song's spiritual and social depths.

Bentley has indeed taken a chance to go all out to record "Up on the Ridge" with little nod to commerciality. He just lets his respect and love for tradition show. And as a result, this will indeed pay off with dividends of pure pleasures to those who like their country uncluttered. With this new disc, Bentley has made the bluegrass/acoustic ridge viable again. Read more ›