(tm)
The Bluegrass Connection provides reviews of Bluegrass Music and some "Close-to-Bluegrass Music" submissions. Our objective is to provide a CD review that will allow you to decide if the type of music recorded would be to your taste.
Join our
List Your Festival here!
We Can Host your
Join our
Festival Mailing List
WebSite
Mailing List
|
|
|
|
Monroe Crossing "Across the Blue Mountains"
The band name "Monroe Crossing" honors Bill Monroe (this CD is dedicated in part to him) and signifies the members' individual approaches and interpretations of the music. The resulting blend is solidly grounded yet notably upscale and modern.
From the opening cut, one feels immediate respect for this group. They are highly competent and obviously well rehearsed. Upon continued listening, the members' individual personalities blossom. For example, Lisa Fuglie's authentic old-time influence becomes more apparent, as does Art Blackburn's brilliantly complex yet simple guitar style. The group presents worthy songwriting talents (with originals by Art Blackburn, Lisa Fuglie, and Matt Thompson). These originals are sandwiched between a generous helping of traditional tunes accented by slices of non-traditional treatment (Across the Blue Mountains, Two Men a Prayin', The Cuckoo, Down in the Willow Garden), a couple of Bill Monroe classics (Letter from My Darlin', Tallahassee), and a Gillian Welch favorite (Annabelle).
On this CD, Monroe Crossing's creatively cohesive arrangements abound with an added sprinkling of delightfully unexpected harmonies. The instrumental portions are tastefully clean and refreshing, the vocals smooth and polished.
The band hails from Minneapolis, MN and if they have not been featured on Minnesota-based "A Prairie Home Companion," they surely ought to be. Their music seems to come from Anywhere, USA and should be heard everywhere in the USA.
Members Art Blackburn (guitar), Benji Fleming (banjo), Lisa Fuglie (fiddle), Matt Thompson (mandolin) and Mark Anderson (bass) share their innovative spark and expertise on this impressively produced and packaged CD (there is even a "surprise" cut at the end of the CD).
Monroe Crossing Comments regarding this review and reviews in general can be directed to:
(Review by Lynn Healey)
This CD displays American roots music that mixes the talents of five musicians who are collectively versed in old-time, folk, bluegrass, and contemporary acoustic music. The diversities are balanced by an important factor: the understanding of driving, effective rhythm on the parts of all the musicians.
17625 Argon Street NW
Ramsey MN 55303
763-213-1349
Website
Monroe Crossing
Email Reviews
Welcome to the Bluegrass Connection, the electronic internet catalog where you can find Band, Performer, Festival and other types of Official Home Pages. View Festival flyers including band pictures. Listen to a sound bite before you purchase a CD or Cassette. Purchase directly from the performers. Join band and other mailing lists. The Bluegrass Connection is here to help you find the information you need to further enjoy Bluegrass Music. The Bluegrass Connection is a member and supporter of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), and the Capitol Area Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Association (CABOMA).
Bluegrass Connection(tm)1995
The Bluegrass Connection(tm), is the second Bluegrass Music site created on the World Wide Web. Our mission, design and concept was developed during 1994 and The Bluegrass Connection website was introduced on the Internet during 1995 and presented at the 1995 IBMA in Owensboro, Kentucky.
During our early years The Bluegrass Connection would highlight a particular band or artist for a period of time on our homepage. As a result, many bands were able to reach out to their fans and introduce themselves to new audiences quickly. Due to many inquiries and requests to bring that feature back, we are seriously considering a "featured band" on our homepage again.
The Bluegrass Connection(tm)1995