Customer Reviews

Window Of Time

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

 

 

From Virginia, the Lonesome River Band originally formed in 1983 and has included many of the top young players in bluegrass over the years. In 2001, the band underwent a major personnel transition with four out of five members departing. To keep the band going, banjo-player Sammy Shelor recruited Brandon Rickman (guitar), Jeff Parker (mandolin), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle) and Irl Hees (bass). "Window of Time" is the 2002 debut project of this new LRB lineup, and the band's managed to not lose one iota of momentum. Lead vocals are shared by Rickman (seven cuts) and Parker (five cuts). On two songs (Give The Devil An Inch; Don't Go Out Tonight My Darlin), their harmony arrangements have Rickman grabbing the lead vocal just on the chorus.

Bandmember Irl Hees composed "How I Long To Be In The Mountains" and Rickman penned another original, "Rounder's Spirit." Parker and Rickman sound like a couple of brothers on the hard-driving "Weary Day" and the Delmore Brothers' "Honey I'm Ramblin Away." The band's cover of Harley Allen's "Stray Dogs and Alley Cats" actually provides a nice melodic and slower respite from the frenetic openers. There is some impressive, crisp picking throughout, but it's the moderate-tempo'ed "Tune Of A Twenty Dollar Bill" that gets the toes-a-tapping with its banjo hammer-ons and pull-offs. A minor criticism is that their material on this project is largely of similar tempo - fast. The album's only instrumental, Tommy Jackson's "Tomahawk," closes the project with the band members all grabbing a part of the hoedown.

This latest LRB configuration likes to pick in high gear. With their throttles wide open, and picking at full steam, this band is hard to stop. They've clearly got their sights set on big things ahead, and a new, exciting chapter is now being written for the Lonesome River Band anthology. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

This is the best music that LRB has put out since Tim Austin left the band. I think that Sammy has put together one of the best bands that bluegrass has to offer. I had gotten to the point that I didn't listen much to LRB in the last few years but after hearing them this summer and getting the new CD I am a fan again. The vocals are better than they have ever been thanks to Brandon. Listen to the bass lines on Stray Dogs (track 6) and realize that there is really none better. And what more can you say about Mike's fiddle playing the best. Again this is a good buy and listen to it through a couple of times and you will be running these tunes in your head all day long.

R

LRB is the best blugrass band out there as far as I'm concerned. This is a great CD and keeps the LRB alive and well. They are a great bunch of guys and excellent musicians. Brandon and Jeff's vocals add to the hard-driving music. I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone not just bluegrass fans.

There were many questions surrounding the Lonesome River Band in the past few months. The personnel were changing and everyone was worried what the outcome would be. With Sammy Shelor, on banjo, the only remaining member things could have turned out a lot different. But Sammy's driving banjo has become the signature of the Lonesome River Band's sound. This cd continues that fine tradition.

It's true, they have made better, but this is still a good effort. They show versatility with driving tunes such as "My Heart Belongs to You" and slower tunes, such as the outstanding "Stray Dogs and Alley Cats". The band can shine at all tempos.

Don't be fooled by the change in the line-up, this is still a very good band. Buy this cd and add it to your collection, you will not be let down.

Although Lonesome River has all new band members except the banjo player, Sammy Shelor and his new band still manage to turn out a good bluegrass record. The style is the same as the old lonesome River, just good hard-drivin' bluegrass. Many of the tracks are really fast and are great tunes to listen to over and over again. I would definantly reccomend buying this CD.

This is the best LRB group to date. Newcomer Brandon's voice gives perfect balance to Jeff's tenor. He definitely has that high lonesome sound not unlike a young George Jones. This album just does not let up, one hard driving, thumping goodie after another. Oh so satisfying!

Although Lonesome River has all new band members except the banjo player, Sammy Shelor and his new band still manage to turn out a good bluegrass record. The style is the same as the old lonesome River, just good hard-drivin' bluegrass. Many of the tracks are really fast and are great tunes to listen to over and over again. I would definantly reccomend buying this CD.