Customer Reviews

Wires And Wood

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Got this CD as a birthday present a few weeks ago, and I haven't stopped listening to it yet. The first 'bluegrass' CD I've owned, but it's a doozy! Lots of great songs and wonderful instrumentals. I especially liked the songs, "Coal Tatoo" and "Legend of the Ghost Coon"--oh, and "Escape from Taiwan" was amazing! His music is very lyrical and expressive--and incredibly fast!

All in all, a great CD; I hope Johnny Staats makes another one, because I plan to buy it.

I'm not usually a bluegrass fan, but I can't get enough of this album! Whether Johnny is playing slow or lightning fast, it's ear candy all the way. I'm always waiting to hear what he'll do next! The vocal songs feature rich harmonies that have you singing along in no time, and the melodies are beautiful. A 'must have' CD!

These are the words I find myself and others are saying about this CD. Not only is Johnny quick, (which he is), but the FEELING he puts into this project is what struck me.Living as I do in East TN...a hot bed of Bluegrass...I have been exposed to some of the finest musicians that ever laid a pick to a string. Johnny Staats is among the best of them! This truly comes out on "Wire & Wood".I have a fairly extensive collection of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana CDs. This disc has been #1 on my "playlist" for weeks. It is well written, performed, and produced. Add to the "Staats Magic", all the great pickers and vocalists heard here and this has the makings of a CLASSIC. No matter if you are a first time Bluegrass buyer or if you remember when Lester and Earl played with Bill Monroe...This CD is a MUST HAVE !

On this Debut CD Johnny Staats offers some of the most thrilling mandolin playing in years. Nimble fingered, precise, and fun - if every UPS driver could play like this we would have packages flying in all directions! Staats is backed by the likes of Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas - both are two of the most respected musicians playing in Country/Bluegrass today (Bush and Douglas contributed to Dolly Parton's 1999 release "The Grass is Blue"). Back up vocals are provided by folks such as Kathy Mattea and Tim O'Brien. CD standouts are the Jazz inspired "Mandolin Meltdown" and the Celtic influence of pieces like "The Legend of the Ghost Coon", and "Shafer's Reel". Other standouts, such as the CD's title track "Wires and Wood", and "Timbuktu are played with a gentle Country/Folk styling. There just isn't a bad piece on this CD(most were composed by Staats). My favorite is "Jessica's Lullaby" -a graceful tribute to Staats Daughter. Buy this and enjoy.

Virtuoso is inadequate to describe the ability of Johnny Staats. He does things on the mandolin I thought were humanly impossible. His vocal sound is pure and simple, yet passionate. Even if you have never listened to bluegrass or envisioned the mandolin as a lead instrument, give this CD a try. I firmly believe you will never hear better or more interesting mandolin playing in your life unless one of his children is taught by him.

Johnny Staats can just flat out PICK! His style owes a bit of debt to Sam Bush; in fact, there are several selections from this CD that remind one of the early, pre-Bela Newgrass Revival (Bush appears on track one, Scott Vestal's chromatic style picking is reminicent pf that employed by original Revival banjoist Courtney Johnson, and John Cowan is featured on most of the other tracks). But the combination of technique (Johnny loves to use pull-offs, which add snap and synchopation to the max), soul, and speed ("Escape from Taiwan" will blow you away) make Staats a true original in the bluegrass/newgrass arena. And while Johnny's singing may seem a bit rough-hewn, it is authentic and heartfelt.

This is the best debut bluegrass effort that I've heard in a long time - in its own way as fresh and exciting as the initial efforts of Hot Rize, Alison Krauss, and The Seldom Scene. Look out for Johnny Staats!!!

I bought this album 2 months ago. It has not stopped playing since.NOT 1 ONE BAD TRACK!! I played it for my group of high school students while they were taking a test on Saturday......Remember, they are High School students. THEY LOVED IT, and you know what kind of music they listen to.It lifted the entire class! (didn't do much for their comprehension/retention levels)(however, it did enhance the rest of their day, and mine) Can't wait for the next album! In the meantime I will just listen to this one over, and over, and over, again.

... Everyone from the artists to producer to the engineers did a great job. This CD has a tremendous aural depth and richness. Every time I listen to it (which is over a dozen times in a week), I find a new nuance or riff I didn't hear before.

If this album isn't nominated for a Grammy, it's a crime. I know Bluegrass doesn't sell like Pop, but Johnny Staats is easily the best new artist to come along in years.

Never been much for bluegrass/country music but this CD is wonderful. Each song is well crafted and the mandolin playing is absolutely amazing. Put my order in for his next CD!

This album joins the slim ranks of inspired music creations. Many artists produce one or two inspired performances on replayable media ... the group working this album did it with the first public media release and hit the mark on almost every piece. I play the set loud ... and often. Hope they get together for another media release.