The Skaggs Family – A Skaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2

The Skaggs Family – ASkaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2
2011, Skaggs Family Records

Ricky Skaggs is a known talent.  His 14 GRAMMY Awards and 11 IBMA Awards are atestament to long-term excellence.  Thetalent doesn’t stop with Skaggs, alone, however.  The Skaggs Family as a whole is extremelytalented, blending country, bluegrass and old-school southern gospel stylesinto a mélange that is musical comfort food. Their latest effort, A SkaggsFamily Christmas, Volume 2, is due on September 27, 2011.

The album plays like an old-time gospel radio show withbluegrass style in its roots.  The instrumentalwork on A Skaggs Family Christmas, Volume2, is exquisitely crafted; the vocals are down-home, yet pristine.  The Skaggs get things started with “ChristmasTimes A Coming”, a folksy, bluegrass Christmas anthem that gets everythinggoing on a traditionalist slant that’s appealing.  “Light Of The Stable” is a musicalcelebration of the birth of Jesus in pure southern gospel style.  “The First Noel” is offered up in a gorgeous,acappella arrangement with full harmonies. “What Songs Were Sung” is absolutely inspired, a simple-yet-powerfulanthem about the first Christmas

“Silent Night” is offered in classic mixolydian style; anarrangement not dissimilar the classic hymn style used in churches for years.  The Skaggs family breaks into an impressiveinstrumental on “Flight To Egypt”, reminding listeners that it’s not necessaryto rely on repetitive forms in order to speak through your instrument.  “Reunion Song” is a revivalist tune, amusical coming together centered on Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus.  The traditional spiritual “Children Go” isfull of life, mixing southern gospel and country styles quiteconvincingly.  The album closes with acontemplative and simple, yet gorgeous arrangement of “Oh Come, Oh ComeEmmanuel”, followed by an orchestral take on “Joy To The World”.

You know when you see the Skaggs name on something musicalit’s going to be good.  Whether it’s hissolo albums, work with Kentucky Thunder, The Skaggs family as a whole, or evensome of the peripheral projects of individual family members such as Songs OfWater.   A Skaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2 is worth spending some timewith.  The album is well-produced, themusic sounding as perfect for a concert hall stage or the back porch as afamily holiday party.  The 16-song DVDthat accompanies the package is also a gem, a full concert featuring songs onthe CD and additional tracks that couldn’t be included.  The entire affair is a breath of freshholiday air.

Rating: 4 Stars(Out of 5)

Learn more about the Skaggs Family at www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com.  ASkaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2 is available for pre-order at the abovewebsite.  The album is also available forpre-order through Amazon.com as a CDor Download.

Ricky Skaggs - Country Hits: Bluegrass Style

Ricky Skaggs - Country Hits: Bluegrass Style
2011, Skaggs Family Records

What makes a musical legend?  Perhaps you could start with being the head of an eight-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Instrumental Band of the Year (Kentucky Thunder).  Somewhere in there you could add fourteen GRAMMY Awards, 8 ACM Awards, 8 CMA Awards, and have twelve consecutive albums receive GRAMMY nominations.  Or perhaps it would take no less than someone such as Chet Atkins declaring that you personally saved country music.  Somewhere in there your persona will take on a life of its own.  So it is for Ricky Skaggs.  Skaggs seems to never make a wrong move musically, but his latest album is a real treat.  Country Hits: Bluegrass Style revisits his country hits of the 1980's and early 1990's, putting a bluegrass spin on some of Skaggs' most requested songs. 

Skaggs sets off with an incredibly catchy and danceable take on "Heartbroke".  The instrumental work beneath the surface is absolutely superb, and the entertainment value is high.  Skaggs sails through the vocals in an easy-going fashion.  "Honey (Open That Door)", one of Skaggs' most requested songs, is done up in classic country style, with guitar work Chet Atkins himself would be proud of.  "Cajun Moon" blends old school country and Zydeco in a classy arrangement you'll find it hard to shake.  Skaggs sounds a lot like Hank Williams on the Flatt and Scruggs penned "Crying My Heart Out Over You".  Sweet and full of sorrow, Skaggs creates a masterful arrangement decorated with amazing vocal harmonies.  "He Was On To Something (So He Made You)" shows Skaggs' more subtle side on guitar, in a sweet arrangement that washes over you like water.

"Highway 40 Blues" is a sweet homage to life on the road where Skaggs and his band find a moment of instrumental perfection.  This leads into the virulently catchy "Uncle Pen", a celebration of country music with vocal harmonies that will send chills down your spine.  Skaggs takes listens for a brilliant, high-speed romp on "Country Boy".  Anyone who has ever slung a guitar or banjo over their shoulder will be absolutely in awe of the instrumental work here, which blends speed, precision and musicality and takes the listener to dizzying heights in a true "WOW" moment. 

Skaggs begins winding down with the classic-style country ballad "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could".  This sweet rendition is memorable; reverent to the original but with more of a home grown feel.  "Don't Get Above Your Raising" is a catchy and fun mid-tempo number; fun fluff that you can dance to without working too hard.  Country Hits, Bluegrass Style closes with "Somebody's Prayin'", a sweet number steeped in the blended history of gospel and country.  Skaggs' unadorned voice lends to the simple beauty of the song, and is the perfect to say "until next time."

Rather than simply drop a compilation of recordings his ardent fans already have, Ricky Skaggs makes the classy choice to re-interpret his biggest country hits in bluegrass style.  For some of the songs presented on Country Hits: Bluegrass Style the jump isn't so large, but Skaggs breathes new life into old songs and in the process reminds us all why his is one of the most revered names in country music.  Don't be surprised if Country Hits: Bluegrass Style becomes the 13th consecutive Skaggs album to be nominated for, and ultimately brings home his 15th GRAMMY Award.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.rickyskaggs.com or www.myspace.com/rickyskaggs.  Country Hits: Bluegrass Style is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

The Roys - Lonesome Whistle

The Roys - Lonesome Whistle
2011, Rural Rhythm Records

The Roys continue their march into the world of modern country with a traditional sound born of bluegrass and Appalachian country/folk on Lonesome Whistle.  Led by Lee And Elaine Roy, The Roys use meticulous instrumental work and sublime vocal harmonies to forward songs of love, life and inspiration.  2010 saw The Roys in their national television debut on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.   After listening to Lonesome Whistle it’s easy to imagine that appearance to be anything but their last.

Lonesome Whistle opens with "Coal Minin' Man", a generous helping of bluegrass and country that tells the story of a third-generation coal miner and his day-to-day life.  Infused with a respect for those who toil away beneath the ground, the song is full of a down-home flavor and buoyed by instrumental work that's nothing short of amazing.  Lee Roy takes the lead with his rough hewn but pleasant voice.  "That's What Makes It Love" features guest appearances by Ricky Skaggs and The Whites.  It's a sweet exposition about what love really is, and is a melodic and rhythmic treat for the ears.  Lee Roy's earthy baritone mixes with Elaine Roy's backwoods vocal charms to create a perfect blend.

"Nothin' I Can Do About It Now" explores the emotions of man who has watched his love go off on a train, never to return.  Opening with some hot banjo picking, it turns into a delicious bluegrass number that could stand on its own for instrumental work.  Lee Roy's voice evokes a loneliness that is beautiful in its loss.  "Right Back At You" is a classic-style country number with a kiss-off motif.  The song itself is a bit bland, but Elaine Roy's voice saves it and then some.  "Give A Ride To The Devil" is a morality tale based on poor choices.  In each case someone steps in with guidance to keep the listeners on track.  The song is well-written and evocative without crossing the line into preachy. 

"Lonesome Whistle" is a masterpiece of songwriting.  Told in the third person, the song lays out the story of a woman who sends her soldier off on a train.  He came home to buried, but she's still haunted by the whistle of the train that took him away.  It's a sad tale, but told in barn-burning fashion in a breakneck bluegrass arrangement that will have you dancing.  Elaine Roy takes charge here and reaches the rafters in the process.  She sticks around for "Everything I Ever Wanted", a tribute to an adoptive mom and the influence she had on Roy's life.  This is a sweet ballad with a classic country sound and a modern pop balladeer sensibility. 

Lee Roy steps forward for "Me Oh My How Time Flies", a high-speed musical chase with all hands on deck.  Banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass and percussion provide the dynamic framework, with violin dancing like a dervish in the seams.  "I Wonder What God's Thinking" is a morality ballad contrasting the behavior of the world as a whole with the love of God.  It's a pretty acoustic ballad; well-written but perhaps a bit preachy.  The song works from a simple moral perspective, but may turn off some listeners.  "Trailblazer" is an energetic turn about a young woman embarking on the world at large.  The song is tailored with great energy and a positive outlook about the possibilities of a life just beginning to bloom, and features perhaps the best pure pop chorus on the album.  Lonesome Whistle winds down with "High Road", a slow ballad about making the right choices in life.  Elaine Roy evokes Loretta Lynn here with a sweet vocal that's among her best work.

The Roys turn country-pop on its head on Lonesome Whistle, getting back to the divergent roots of country music while maintaining a distinctive pop sensibility that is welcome in any musical age.  As an instrumental unit the band is top notch, able to duke it out with any group working inside or outside of Music Row.  The voices of Lee and Elaine Roy work wonderfully well on their own, and even more so when they combine.  Lonesome Whistle is bound to be considered among the top bluegrass recordings of 2011, and may even make significant noise on the pop/country charts.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

 Learn more about The Roys at http://www.theroysonline.com/ or www.myspace.com/theroyscountryelaineandlee.   Lonesome Whistle is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available digitally from iTunes.