Home  |  Hi-Fi Audio Reviews  Audiophile Shows Partner Mags  News       

 

 

Enjoy the Music.com Review Magazine
Laurie Lewis
Blossoms

Review By Steven Stone

 

  Although she doesn't look it, Laurie Lewis is a bluegrass pioneer. As a founding member of the first all-female bluegrass band, The Good Ol' Persons in the mid-70's, Lewis was involved in the rediscovery of roots music by a generation of players. Along the way Lewis has twice been named IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year and garnered a Grammy for her work on True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe. On her latest release Lewis showcases the breadth of her musical talent – singing, songwriting, and playing both guitar and fiddle.

Unlike many bluegrassers, who grew up around the music, Lewis discovered bluegrass in her early twenties in that hotbed of bluegrass, the Bay area of California. "It really was a different deal coming to bluegrass in the San Francisco Bay area," Lewis says. "There weren't a lot of cutting contests; it was all about making music together, a focus on interdependency rather than individual prowess." On Blossoms Lewis enlists the help of her longtime musical partner Tom Rozum on mandolin, octave mandolin, and vocals. The album roster also includes David Grier, Nina Gerber, and Scott Huffington on guitar, Roy Rodger on slide guitar, Alex Hargreaves, Brittany Haas, and Darol Anger on fiddles, and Tim O'Brien, The Burns sisters, and Kathy Kallick on harmony vocals. One tune, "Cool Your Jets," has Car Talk's Tom and Ray Magliozzi contributing spoken parts.

The music on Blossoms isn't strictly bluegrass. Instead it's a celebration of diversity with spirituals such as "How Can I Keep From Singing" followed by folkier songs such as Kate McLeod's "Lark in The Morning." Lewis' original songs go from winsome ballads such as "Chains of Letters" to Caribbean-flavored rap songs like "Cool Your Jets." In between you'll hear a dual fiddle instrumental, "Sophie's House," and an accapella rendition of "Return to the Fire." Taken as a whole Blossoms serves as a wonderful introduction for new fans and a big ol' hug for longtime fans.

 

 

Enjoyment:

Sound:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

Quick Links


Premium Audio Review Magazine
High-End Audiophile Equipment Reviews

 

Equipment Review Archives
Turntables, Cartridges, Etc
Digital Source
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Preamplifiers
Amplifiers
Cables, Wires, Etc
Loudspeakers/ Monitors
Headphones, IEMs, Tweaks, Etc
Superior Audio Gear Reviews

 

 


Show Reports
HIGH END Munich 2024
AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Report

Southwest Audio Fest 2024
Florida Intl. Audio Expo 2024
Capital Audiofest 2023 Report
Toronto Audiofest 2023 Report
UK Audio Show 2023 Report
Pacific Audio Fest 2023 Report
T.H.E. Show 2023 Report
Australian Hi-Fi Show 2023 Report
...More Show Reports

 

Videos
Our Featured Videos

 


Industry & Music News

High-Performance Audio & Music News

 

Partner Print Magazines
audioXpress
Australian Hi-Fi Magazine
hi-fi+ Magazine
Sound Practices
VALVE Magazine

 

For The Press & Industry
About Us
Press Releases
Official Site Graphics

 

 

 

     

Home   |   Hi-Fi Audio Reviews   |   News   |   Press Releases   |   About Us   |   Contact Us

 

All contents copyright©  1995 - 2024  Enjoy the Music.com®
May not be copied or reproduced without permission.  All rights reserved.