Prescription Bluegrass Reviews THE ROYS–Gyspy Runaway Train

At a time when it seems that many groups are straying from the traditional bluegrass sound, “Gypsy Runaway Train”, is pulling into the station right on time.

This collection of six original songs and seven familiar favorites is the third CD released by the brother and sister duo, The Roys, and is nothing but straightforward bluegrass. There are no frills on this project, just solid bluegrass music.

I have enjoyed listening to The Roys since they first entered the bluegrass realm with their freshman release “New Day Dawning”. I was attracted to the ability of Elaine and Lee to compose songs that were both honest and since. Whether the songs centered on a family member, a moment in time, or their faith, it seems as if the lyrics spoke directly to me.

 

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews: Newton and Thomas - REBORN

I’ve been on a roll lately….. every CD I’ve picked up to review has been exceptionally good. At this rate I’m going to forget how to be nosy, constructively critical and nit-picky! Sometimes, when I’m listening to a new CD, I dig a little too deep into the who, what, where, when and why, and then I have to keep diggin’ even deeper to satisfy my curiosity.

I can’t seem to stop listening “just one more time!” The only problem with that is time just seems to slip away from me, and I can’t keep myself on schedule.

So, for this review, I grabbed a new CD “blindly” off the pile, thinking that may just be the way to break this hot streak of great new music. Well, that didn’t work! The new CD from Mark Newton and Steve Thomas, “REBORN,” jumped out of the speakers with a bang, and there I was again…. listening “just one more time!”

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews: Head For The Hills–Blue Ruin

Blue Ruin consists of 12 selections composed and performed by the Colorado based group, Head for the Hills, including 10 vocal cuts and 2 instrumentals.

The opening cut, Take Me Back, is reminiscent of an early Country Gazette-style offering, particularly with respect to the rhythm style and vocal arrangement.

Though there’s no banjo on this cut, it would otherwise suggest that a regimen of modern Bluegrass fare might be forthcoming. However, with the opening of the next cut, Never Does, you know you’ve stumbled onto something exotic indeed.

Never Does’ feel is more like modern Indie/Grunge merged with Bohemian Gypsy music, complete with train-whistle style background harmonies.