Skip to content
Register |
Lost your password?
Subscribe
logo
  • Magazine
  • The Tradition
  • The Artists
  • The Sound
  • The Venue
  • Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Lessons
  • Jam Tracks
  • The Archives
  • Log in to Your Account
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Search
  • Login
  • Contact
Search
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Festival Guide
    • Talent Directory
    • Workshops/Camps
    • Our History
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • The Tradition
  • The Artists
  • The Sound
  • The Venue
  • Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Lessons
  • Jam Track
  • The Archives

Home > Articles > Reviews > BALSAM RANGE, FIVE

BALSAM RANGE

BALSAM RANGE, FIVE

Bluegrass Unlimited|Posted on September 1, 2014|Reviews|No Comments
FacebookTweetEmailPrint

BALSAM-RANGEBALSAM RANGE
FIVE

Mountain Home
MH15322

   The first time through on Balsam Range’s Five, my thought was that the recording may fall way short of Papertown. The second time through, the vocal and instrumental talents and the Balsam Range sound, all among the best in the business, had begun to work their magic, and I remembered I’d had a similar experience with Papertown. Even then, I was still on the fence as to where this one stands.

The performances and the vocals, particularly the Rodney Crowell-style tenor of Buddy Melton, are, as I said, magical. The attention to arrangement details is almost as good. And there are some very good songs here. “Chasing Someone Else’s Dreams,” a song from Milan Miller about the difficulty in doing what you want while you work for someone else, is excellent in its message and easy quality. Melton’s a cappella gospel “Stacking Up The Rocks” is of the same high level, full of ear-catching harmony shifts. “Songs I’ve Sung,” arguably Tim Surrett’s best lead vocal to date, hits home. That’s followed by “Too High A Price To Pay” (Darren Nicholson on buttery lead vocals) and by Mickey Newbury’s doleful “The Future’s Not What It Used To Be.” You can include the bluesy stomp of “Monday Blues” and the wistful “Everything That Glitters” on there as well. Right there, you’ve got seven first-rate songs. Eight if you count, “From A Georgia Battlefield,” a Civil War-themed song, and a good one at that.

So I gave it a couple more spins and several more tunes fell in line, including the bounce of “I Spend My Days Below The Ground,” the band original instrumental “Backdraft,” John Denver’s lilting “Matthew,” and, finally, “Moon Over Memphis.” Now, only one remains unimpressive and probably will remain so. Of course, there’s always time. As good as this recording is, and it is exceptionally good, my nod still goes to Papertown. (Crossroads Distribution, P.O.         Box 829, Arden NC 28704, www.crossroadsmusic.com.)BW

FacebookTweetEmailPrint
Share this article
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

March 2023

Flipbook

logo
A Publication of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum / Owensboro, KY
  • Magazine
  • The Tradition
  • The Artists
  • The Sound
  • The Venue
  • Reviews
  • Survey
  • New Releases
  • Online
  • Directories
  • Archives
  • About
  • Our History
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Subscriptions
Connect With Us
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
bluegrasshalloffame
tannerpublishing
tannerwest
Subscribe
Give as a Gift
Send a Story Idea

Copyright © 2023 Tanner Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Website by Tanner+West

Subscribe For Full Access

Digital Magazines are available to paid subscribers only. Subscribe now or log in for access.

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!