Certainly,
the Lonesome River Band is one of the most significant proponents of traditional bluegrass music to canoe down any river in a long while. And
Finding the Way is reflective of their status as a band of integrity and purpose. In every way -- musicianship, vocals, harmonies, performance and execution -- this is a solid outing. "Love's Come Over Me," an upbeat tune that highlights Sammy Shelor's banjo and the harmony vocals of
Don Rigsby and Kenny Smith, recalls the best of
the Louvins and
the Stanleys. In fact, "Sweet Sally Brown," penned by Wandell M. Smith and
Dr. Ralph Stanley, displays the intensity and talent of
the Lonesome River Band in full bloom. They could very well stand side by side with
Ralph and Carter Stanley. The Tommy Morse tune "Perfume, Powder and Lead" is filled with all the dark mystery that many classic bluegrass tunes are known for. Again,
Rigsby and Smith provide the harmony vocals that make this performance so haunting. Jason Carter's fiddle underscores the moaning quality of a song sung high upon a hill into a dark, unknown holler as the protagonist reaches out to eternity. "Baby Come Home," "Another by My Side," "Don't Worry 'Bout Daddy," and "Up on the Shelf" are all high steppin', while "Finding Your Way" is a nod of the head to the softer side of bluegrass music. Ending with the traditional tune "Devil Chased Me Around the Stump" places this project among the finest in the annals of bluegrass history. Produced by
Jerry Douglas,
Finding the Way is a fine introduction to
the Lonesome River Band or to the more contemporary forms of bluegrass music. ~ Jana Pendragon