Viridian

The Greencards | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dualtone Music Group
• ASIN: B000MNOXRQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,658 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Greencards are an acoustic phenomenon who have toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Kasey Chambers, Robert Earl Keen, and more. They're one of the most tested, versatile, and mesmerizing live acts on the road today and took Best New Band at the Austin Music Awards in 2004. Although they create some of the finest Americana around, they're not American. The band consists of one Englishman and two Australians. "Viridian" bridges the gap between traditional bluegrass, newgrass, and the jamband world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, comforting and as smooth as suede, April 28, 2007

By 

J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viridian (Audio CD)

Playing Time - 44:04 -- Warm, comforting and as smooth as suede, "Viridian" has shimmering music that is like rays of sunlight reflecting from a serene lake on a breezy summer day. From Australia and Great Britain, the spunky trio that now makes their home in Nashville (via Austin, Tx.) previously released two albums and toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson in the 2000s. More than emerging troubadours, the mysterious and fascinating Greencards have arrived with an electrifying neotraditional alt-folk sound. They used to be more rooted in bluegrass, but their music is evolving into their very own sumptuous contemporary Americana styling. Perhaps that is why they call the album "Viridian," a durable bluish-green pigment. Because the trio has endured, they also display added cohesion these days.

Nominated by CMA Australia for "Best Female Vocalist," Carol Young has a torchy voice with seductive charm. She also plays electric bass. "River of Sand" and "I Don't Want To Lose You" are mesmerizing and crowning moments on this album. From Adelaide, Kym Warner has won four consecutive Australian mandolin championships from 1994-1997. He also plays bouzouki on this project. Warner's "All The Way From Italy" documents his family's emigration from Italy to Australia. From London, red-headed fiddler Eamon McLoughlin was classically trained at London's Royal School of Music and has toured with the Austin Lounge Lizards. McLoughlin based "When I Was In Love With You" on a English poem by A.E. Housman, and the song melds punk-era simplicity with the magic of classic folk traditionalism. Capturing their band's lineage and inspirations, original instrumentals "Su Prabhat" and "Mucky the Duck" trace roots and evolution of their band's signature sound through Celtic, old-time and newgrass genealogy.

Growing up on American roots music from Lefty to Loretta, these exuberant young folks decided to follow their muse to the U.S. where they have been able to further develop and harness the melodies, lyrics, harmony, dissonance and spirit that just needed an outlet for release. The band is joined by guests Doug Lancio, Bryan Sutton, Larry Attamanuik, Jedd Hughes, Andrea Zonn, and Viktor Krauss. Chris Carmichael arranged the string quartet.

The Greencards' music is delirious fun .... bright, brisk and full of brilliant musical vignettes. Their stirring original material is smart and introspective. Memories and emotions are interwoven with fantasies, observations, and interludes. Written by Kym Warner and Jerry Salley, "Lonesome Side of Town" shows that they haven't forgotten the rules and sideboards of straight-ahead bluegrass. "Shinin' in the Dark" is another from both writers. The songcrafting of "Who Knows" included collaboration with Ronnie Bowman, and that number with a jamgrass groove asks a poignant question about what tomorrow holds. A hint is that "in harmony we find the answer." While always tasteful, drummer Larry Attamanuik's beat could've been toned down a few decibels in the mix. With music that is rehearsed, flowing and expertly produced. The Greencards are carving out their own niche among listeners who enjoy a hybrid of styles and the fusion of classic folk balladry with a bluegrass consciousness. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting better all the time., March 11, 2007

By 

Dennis Ellerbee (Jackson, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viridian (Audio CD)

The first two CD's were wonderful ( Five star ), but on a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this CD a 11+. The Greencards just get better and better. This CD has about everything an album could ask for. Just enough slow material and then they crank it up with some great picking. The vocals are as perfect as you can get. Carol Young is one of the best female vocalist out there today, bar none. Emmon and Kim join in for great harmony and lead singing, plus their playing is incredible. This band is fast becoming the best of New Grass since the New Grass Revival split up. Buy this CD if you love great music. It will have you patting your foot and singing along.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greencards score again!, August 25, 2007

By 

Robert Hall "Bob Hall" (Roseburg, Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viridian (Audio CD)

Another solid album from this young and talented group. Delicate vocals with matched harmonies, driving bluegrass coupled with Americana roots folk music. The Greencards continue to evolve and attract new audiences, but this CD will continue to satisfy their dedicated fans around the globe. Hard to pick a favorite, but rest assured, you might find it eventually, but in the meantime keep listening to this great CD in its entirity...it's hard to imagine that anyone could get tired of listening to this CD over and over.