Lonesome River Band
Talkin' to Myself

Review by Steven Stone
Click here to e-mail reviewer

CD Stock Number: SUG CD 3913

 

  The Lonesome River Band is one of the new generation of traditional-sounding aggregations who continue to refine and perfect bluegrass music. Precise vocal harmonies combined with red-hot solos make the Lonesome River Band Talkin' to Myself the kind of CD that will leave you wondering if bluegrass can get any better. The first 30 seconds of the opening song "Swing That Hammer" displays Lonesome River's signature sound - tight, smooth, slick, yet essentially authentic bluegrass. 

Band personnel include Ronnie Bowman on bass guitar, Don Rigsby on mandolin, Sammy Shelor on banjo, Kenny Smith on guitar, and Rickie Simpkins of fiddle. Everyone but Kenny Smith sing. Recorded at Doobie Shea studios in Boones Mill, Virginia, the disk was mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering in Boulder Colorado. The sound is warm and natural with excellent definition and inner detail.For those so endowed, it's a HDCD release. Talkin' to Myself is simply another Sugar Hill release destined to be nestled among the treasured CD's on every serious bluegrass fan's shelves.

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: 95