Howlin' at the Moon

Sam Bush

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B000005ZBB
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #158,851 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the church of bluegrass, mandolinist and fiddler Sam Bush has long been a nonconformist--or at least the musical equivalent of a Cafeteria Catholic. In 1971, at 19, the rhythmic demon founded New Grass Revival, and for the next 18 years alternately amazed and enraged traditionalists, extending the band's purview to reggae, jazz, and rock. Bush's third solo album finds him in top, blindingly fast form: note the high-level cheer of "Hold On" or "Face Tomorrow." On the instrumental collaborations with long-time pals such as Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas, the mandolin-meister shines, as ever. But why is it that he never gets enough credit as a violinist? The wailing intro to "Crossing the Transippi" demonstrates that Bush plays second fiddle to no one. --Kerry Fried

No Depression

A whirling dervish onstage, [Sam Bush] flails like Jimmy Page, conjuring up mesmerizing polyrhythmic chops and trailblazing solos.... Howlin' showcases Bush's facility as a player and composer, as well as his stylistic sense of adventure. As usual, Bush meshes bluegrass, funk, jazz, reggae, and blues into a set more diverse than most people's record collections.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Amazing Record!, November 3, 1999

By	Peter Savage "seriously" (Near Portland, ME USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

What an incredible record! It's not bluegrass, it's not country, though it contains huge slabs of both as launching points. Some of the best mandolin playing you've ever heard, and some fine fiddle work too. What is more, the songs are good, and extremely well-performed. Several cuts on this will remind you of the Grateful Dead (with Zen thought to the forefront) and even (yes, it's meant to be a compliment) The Eagles, when they had a clue. Best thing I've heard in months!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good CD, May 16, 2002

By	TheHighlander (Richfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews

The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because I tend to be stingy with them. This is a very good CD that anyone who has seen Sam live or listened to his music will enjoy over and over again. He is to bluegrass what Hank Williams Jr, Charlie Daniels & Johnny Paycheck were to country. Outlaws! But Sam is an outlaw that has the chops of the best in the business on the mandolin and his fabulous fiddle playing is constantly overlooked.

This CD is full of many good songs but the one that sticks out the most is the title cut, "Howlin' At The Moon". What an outstanding song musically, and his message here is what life is all about.

A very good CD from a master of bluegrass - buy it, enjoy it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans of Musician's Musicians: Get this CD!, May 11, 2004

By	Kelly A. Chitwood (Arkansas!!!) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I saw Sam perform this past February on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. As with Sonny Landreth, who shares the same label as Bush, I was blown away at his talent. (You know, the jaw-dropping kind of awe that you feel during an awesome live performance.) His music is unique. You can't place it in any particular genre, I am reminded of Marshall Tucker's mellow music, the Grateful Dead's music (the good stuff only---sorry Deadheads), Grandpa Jones and include the soulful, upbeat lyrical style of Keb' Mo. One last comparison, his voice reminds me of John Denver's for his range, but stronger in style.

The guy even plays a slide on a mandolin... way too cool on "Face Tomorrow".
"Funk 42" has Bela Fleck adding his own unique touch on the Banjo and later on, another instrumental titled "Harbor Docks".

All in all, a great CD, I'm hooked and you will be too at this new fresh approach to playing the mandolin.

A+++++++++++++!!!!!