Reviews
What others think of the bluegrass around - CDs, shows, concerts, DVDs.
James Reams and the Barnstormers - Troubled Times
Jamesreams.com -
What an interesting product and marketing approach this is! A combo CD and DVD. The CD gives us some lively bluegrass with a nice mix of traditional numbers, covers and originals. James Reams found "Cool Down on the Banks of Jordan" on a 1939 recording of Rev. John R. Gipson (aka Blind Gipson). "Winsboro Cotton Mill Blues" was written by a North Carolina mill worker. The covers are from Melvin Goins, Bill Caswell, Roy & Don Hogsed, Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, Jim Eanes, Gerald Evans/Patty Cooper, and Robbie Fulks.
Their originals reflect issues that resonate with personal experience. A James Reams/Tina Aridas original, "The Hills of my County," speaks to mountaintop removal coal mining and its environmental impact. Based on the song, we know where they stand on this complex issue that pits jobs against the environment. "Eye of the Storm" is a tale of gambler's misery. Although it was the first song they ever collaborated on, it was put aside for quite some time until being dusted off for this CD and arranged with a more rocking sound than originally written. "Troubled Times" is a sad story of the family farm's foreclosure, an event that James observed a lot during his earlier days in Kentucky. Banjo-player Mickey Maguire penned two hustling instrumentals, "Erin's Flight" and "Lost Forest."
Originally from SE Kentucky, James Reams ("The Kentucky Songbird") has lived in New York City for about 20 years. He has more recently been called "The Father of Brooklyn Bluegrass." Reams began playing guitar at age 12. From 1992-1998, he recorded with a group called "The Mysterious Redbirds," followed by a number of albums with The Barnstormers. His band includes Mark Farrell (fiddle, mandolin), Carl Hayano (bass), and Mickey Maguire (banjo). Kenny Kosek (fiddle) and Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin) appear as guests on 10 and 4 tracks, respectively. Reams has a no-frills-added, old-time, traditional edge in his lead vocals. They serve up their exciting bluegrass in a classic style of yesteryear.
The included DVD (totaling 100 minutes) provides some valuable documentation of bluegrass in New York City. In the 80-minute "Rollin' On," the roots of the music are traced back to Kentucky, and many personal experiences are shared. A look to the future is optimistic. Of particular interest is the 20-minute preview of "Pioneers of Bluegrass," with humorous and enlightening interviews with Charles Bailey, Sonny Osborne, Bobby Osborne, McCormick Brothers, Del McCoury, Jimmy Martin, Curly Seckler, Art Stamper, and others.
JAMES REAMS & The BARNSTORMERS (plus double-feature DVD)
565 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.jamesreams.com
EMAIL tina [at] jamesreams.com
Playing Time: 39:41 (disc 1), 100:20 (disc 2)
(Joe Ross)
Alison Krauss & Union station - LIVE CD
Review of the first ever Live album by Alison Krauss & Union Station, written by West Australia's Troy Cook
Hardrive in Bluegrass Now Magazine
Melbourne band Hardrive's award-winning album Henry Lawson's Blues is reviewed in the top US Bluegrass magazine, Bluegrass Now!
We need reviewers
Want to review CDs, books, etc? We're looking for people to write short, honest reviews of bluegrass-related materials for Bluegrass Australia