Review: The Bluefields

Subject: Review: The Bluefields
From: Caitrin
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 10:56 AM

Alrighty...I decided to try one of the ideas from Shambles' thread about threads. So, here's my review of "Quiche Woman in a Barbeque Town," the newest release from a Boone, NC based band called The Bluefields.
Warning: I am not as knowledgable about music as most other mudcatters...I'm just trying my hand at a new kind of thread. I've also never written a review of a CD before and have no idea what should go in there. So, if there's something in particular you want to know, ask.
The Bluefields are a bluegrass group made up of Rebecca Eggers-Gryder (lead and harmony voacls and dog house bass), Phil Halbedel (banjo), Rick Ramseur (Lead and harmony vocals, harmonica, saxophone, drums, and saw), FLoyd Townshend (Lead and bass vocal, guitar), and Melvin Turbyfill (Lead vocal and mandolin). "Quiche Woman in a Barbeque Town"'s 18 tracks include both original music and covers.
The title track is an amusing song about a social worker from Boston who moves to a less-than-cultured area of North Carolina. If you know any city folks who've moved to the backwoods, it's truly hilarious.
My favorite of the original songs is "Saw Man." It features beautiful work on the saw, a few truly haunting solo bits. I also particularly like "He's the One." It's old-timey gospel harmony and sounds beautiful. Other original music on the CD are "Jesus Called Home An Angel" (a song about the loss of a child), "Remember Where You've Been," and "Take My Hand."
Several of the covers are particularly good. I especially like the bluegrass arrangement of the Simon and Garfunkel classic "The Boxer." I never would have guess that a banjo would fit so well with it! The Bluefields also do a nice job with Jim Croce's "Age" and John Prine's "Paradise." Their version of Gordon Lightfoot's "Go My Way" is excellent, as well. The female vocals and banjo make it sound completely different. The Bluefields also cover "If You're Ever In Oklahoma," "Tennessee Blues," "Wyfaring Stranger," "Home Sweet Home," "Mama's Opry" (which always makes me cry), and Willie Nelson's "Crazy."
The Bluefields are a fun band. They do both the silly and the sublime, and I've enjoyed "Quiche Woman in a Barbeque Town" very much. If you haven't heard them, they're definitely worth checking out.

Subject: RE: Review: The Bluefields
From: Barky
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 11:01 PM

Sublime job, m'dear!

~Barky