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SONGS MP3 Sound clips. click on a song to hear a sample
Big
Spike Hammer
Purchase CD Item Name: CD On The Loose
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For more information regarding this site please contact:
Randy Allen at: |
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| Below is a review of our CD that appeared in the Bluegrass Breakdown. Written By: Brenda Hough | ||
| On The Loose is a fine band from California's Gold Country and the songs on this CD showcase their bluegrass musical skills and fine harmonies . Craig Mozley provides a rock steady bass that is a foundation for the total sound. The band is blessed with several lead singers and as they take turns with the leads, the songs move from whimsical and fun, to yearning for true everlasting love and to the classic bluegrass themes of rocky roads and better times to come. Penny Allen is featured on four of the songs and her voice has a fine country edge with heartfelt sincerity on country classics like "Making Believe," the Flatt and Scruggs song "Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky," and a soul-stirring version of Bob Paisley's "I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name." Ron Gaynor not only gives the band its Kentucky connection; he also adds two voices to the band's sound. Ron's resophonic dobro playing has blues overtones that echo and surround the lead vocals and he leads the way with "Big Spike Hammer" and a rousing instrumental, "Color in the Pan," which musically tells the story of the hard work digging gold out of a rushing stream and the joy when the gold discovery is made. This is the only instrumental on the album, but the high energy sound makes the listener want more and hopefully they will open the floodgates with some more original instrumentals on their next album. Rob Shotwell's vocal of "Man of Constant Sorrow" is an album highlight. He manages to get a gritty vocal that rivals Dan Tyminkski's. Rob is a banjo master. He is adept on Scruggs picking but he can add melodic passages such as the one that kicks off the beginning to "Man of Constant Sorrow." Ron adds some growling dobro and joins Penny in harmonies on this song. Randy Allen adds some tasty mandolin licks throughout the songs and he takes the lead vocal duties on Guy Clark's tribute to homegrown tomatoes with its classic line, "only two things that money can't buy - that's true love and homegrown tomatoes." Randy also is a well-known luthier and there's probably some "homegrown" instruments on this album since he makes dobros, mandolins and guitars. This is a sparkling diamond of an album - the facets change with each listening and there's bound to be something to catch your eye and fancy in each song. Special thanks to Ron Elkan from the Stardust Cowboys who added some nice fiddle work. Thanks again Ron
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