So yesterday I listened to several bits and pieces of albums including most of Stuart Duncan’s 1992 self-titled release which includes some of my favorite fiddle tunes; “Lee’s Highway Blues” and “Whistling Rufus”, along with a lot of other good stuff. I also listened to the second New Grass Revival album Fly through The Country. I did put two albums on the mp3 player for further listening. Both names were taken from the Roots Music Report. The first was Sweet Sunny South whose new album Carried Off by a Twister was at 36 and the other was Acoustic Endeavor whose album On the Farm is number 34 on the Internet Radio play chart. Rhapsody did not have Sweet Sunny South’s new album but did have their 2007 release Showtime so that’s what I listened to yesterday and today. Rhapsody did have Acoustic Endeavor’s album On the Farm so that went on the player, too. Of the two albums I like Showtime a little better so I’ll start with that one.
According to their website Sweet Sunny South
is an acoustic old-timey string band that plays a unique blend of new and traditional music. Based in Paonia, Colorado, the band has been making a name for itself at festivals and theaters throughout the region for the past 8 years and received invitations to perform as an official showcase band for both the IBMA and The Folk Alliance in 2006. The group was also featured as one of Colorado’s “Movers and Shakers” in Denver’s Westword Magazine in 2007 and were selected
Again from the website:
Banjo and mandolin player, Bill Powers, writes most of the bands’ songs, which take the listener on scenic journeys into dusty old American music. Cory Obert plays a mean old-time fiddle, sometimes with a Cajun flare and sings a solid high tenor. Rob Miller also writes songs, plays the D-28 and sings lead and harmony. Shelley Gray (a.k.a. “Laura Ingalls Wilder-n-Swingin”) plays the ‘ol kay Bass, sings, hollers, and puts the “Sweet” in Sweet Sunny South.
All I can say is that they are a fun band and the songs are well written and the vocals are equally as good as the picking which is darn fine! I like all of the tracks but a couple that caught my attention are the opening track “Showtime/Cowdog Stomp”, “Two Dolla Pistols”, “Little Widder” and “Lodis”. But like I said all of the tracks are good and I like them all more and more with each listen and I agree with Tim O’Brien who said:
“The world needs more music from this fine group”…..Tim O’Brien 2007
As a side note while researching Sweet Sunny South, I saw that Bill Powers and Shelly Gray are also a part of the band Honey Don’t, a band that I listened to a few weeks ago and enjoyed! So now I have to go listen to their album again along with Carried Off By a Twister. So check them out! Good Twang! Time to break – Acoustic Endeavor in a while!
Here’s a video of a performance at the California Bluegrass Association