All American Bluegrass Girl

Rhonda Vincent

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / UMGD
• ASIN: B000F7CEDO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,333 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
"All my life they told me 'you're pretty good for a girl,'" Rhonda Vincent sings on this album's title track--a sly dig at the notoriously patriarchal culture of bluegrass, and at critics who qualify her as a "female bluegrass singer." But like Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton (who adds harmony vocals to the rocking "Heartbreaker's Alibi"), Vincent is one of the elite artists in the genre--period. She's got the awards and Grammy nominations to prove it, but mostly she has her voice--a flawless, instantly recognizable instrument that releases all of the emotion from durable gospel standards like Roy Acuff's "Precious Jewel" and the more contemporary-styled "Forever Ain't That Long Anymore." And she's got her band, the Rage, who rip through train songs like "Rhythm of the Wheels" or instrumentals like "Ashes of Mt. Augustine," which serves to remind us what a hot mandolinist she can be. Along with the archetypal bluegrass themes of home, death, and country, Vincent also has current conflicts on her mind. She covers Byron Hill and Mike Dekle's "Till They Come Home," which captures the impact of war on military families, walking the line between patriotism and unquestioning nationalism. On "God Bless the Soldier," however, she crosses that line with a strained analogy between Christian and military sacrifice. But her sentiments are nothing if not genuine--and she's got the vocal and instrumental chops to bring those emotions all he way home. --Roy Kasten

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Product Description
Dubbed "The New Queen of Bluegrass" by The Wall Street Journal, Rhonda Vincent delivers a mature collection of hard-driving bluegrass and soothing ballads including three originals on 'All American Bluegrass Girl.' Six-time International Bluegrass Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year," Vincent continues to create her traditional bluegrass music with a contemporary edge. Joined by her award-winning band The Rage, with very special guest appearances by gal pal Dolly Parton and bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne, this collection delivers fresh, exciting bluegrass from start to finish. Rhonda Vincent is the 'All American Bluegrass Girl.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First ever review, August 10, 2006

By	Dolly Daydream "DeeDee" (Shropshire, England UK) - See all my reviews

I have hundreds of cd's many of them purchased from Amazon and many of them bluegrass but I have never been moved to write a review before. In my opinion All American Bluegrass Girl is a fabulous album with amazing music. Rhonda sings beautifully and some of the instrumentals and riffs are fantastic.I visit the mountains of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee each year and this (commercial) cd is the closest I have heard to the "real thing". Well done Rhonda and your team, keep up the good work, I hope that you will get more recognition through this album, especially here in the UK. To the people who complain about the gospel and military songs, visit the real bluegrass areas especially in NC and Eastern Kentucky and you might understand where they come from.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best album yet, June 7, 2006

By	P. Butler "Traditionalist" (Greeneville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As previously stated, I am a traditionalist bordering on a dinasaur. I have been following Rhonda Vincent from her earlier pure bluegrass albums, through her efforts to reinvent herself as a Nashville diva & back toward to her present CD. Although the earlier efforts were uneven, she has never gotten credit for her pure talents. The best evidence I think is where she does covers of other artist's hits. Her renditions of "Don't Lie" & "When I Close My Eyes" put Trace Adkins & Kenny Chesney, respective versions to shame. This CD contains the best song selection, the best production (no attempts to overproduce like most of Nashville these days) & best vocals by Ms. Vincent. As far as the cover photo, since when has it been a bad idea for an attractive woman to get dressed up & look glamorous?

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More bluegrass than Alison Krauss, June 9, 2006

By	John A. Gregorio (Castalian Springs, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have no problems with the reviewer who hates gospel songs and bluegrass (capital B), although he failed to really review the cd and seemed to critique himself.
I can see why he would like Alison Krauss rather than Rhonda Vincent since about 60% of the later Krauss cds are more pop than bluegrass. A rule of thumb is if she sings it more pop and if Dan Tyminshi sings it is more bluegrass.
This Vincent cd is pure contemporary bluegrass with maybe a dash of pop/country in some songs. Her song selection and the band are top notch. Her mandolin playing is solid but is not amazing as is Ron McCoury, Sam Bush or David Grisman.
As far as the controversy about the cover and what she is wearing: Grow up America!