CD Review

Northern California Bluegrass Society provides this CD review. You can find our most current reviews on our Message Board, where you can comment or query the author directly. Our monthly magazine, Bluegrass By the Bay also publishes them.

Return to CD Reviews.

Gerald Evans and Paradise Headin' Home
Review by Brenda Hough  

Songs:

Headin' Home
The Gold Rush Is Over
The Streamlined Cannonball
Deep South
Hiram's Breakdown
Another Day From Life
Wasted Time
Wasted Tears and Wasted Money
My Love Song
The Discovery
I Want To Be Loved
Searching for a Soldier's Grave
I'll Keep Old Glory Waving High

Lavenir Records CD 1032

PO Box 541002

Cincinnati, Ohio 45254
www.Lavenirrecords.com


Rodeo riders develop a feel for a horse in the first two moves, and the first notes of a bluegrass band's song can forecast their potential appeal. Gerald Evans and Paradise fly out of the chute with a hard-driving version of Gerald's song "Headin' Home." Gerald's fiddle propels the song but Evan Ward's banjo jumps ahead in a flurry of notes that makes it hard to believe that this banjo master is only 14 years old. Gerald and Evan are supported by Duane Sparks' rhythm guitar and Cookie Inman's firm and steady bass. "Hiram's Breakdown" is another instrumental showcase, and the fiddle and banjo are matched with some fine mandolin licks. Gerald has also written three other songs for the album, and he has composed a tender love song, a tale of the Lewis and Clark expedition and a happy rogue song, "Wasted Time, Wasted Tears and Wasted Money." Cindy Walker's "The Gold Rush Is Over" is a future classic with great, catchy phrases - "the gold rush is over, the bum rush is on," "this old gravy train is at the end of the line," and "stake out your claim on some other guy."

The band prides itself on its traditional sound and all the songs have a strong bluegrass rhythm with banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar taking accent licks and tasteful leads. They also feature two Roy Acuff songs, "The Streamline Cannonball" and "Searching For A Soldier's Grave" both featuring some perfect vocal harmonies. This band has staying power with its combination of fine vocals, hot instrumental leads and ensemble work and a refreshing selection of songs.

Additions or comments: admin@scbs.org
Membership
About
Links
Teachers
Message Board
Weekly News
CD Reviews
Photos
Calendar
Radio
Venues
Bands