The Grascals

Long List of Heartaches The Grascals' acclaimed 2005 debut demonstrated their strength was modern, streamlined bluegrass with ample nods to tradition. Brimming with instrumental virtuosity, this near-perfect effort reiterates those strengths. By seamlessly blending the new with the traditional, they all...	Keep on Walkin' Already among the most beloved and revered of contemporary bluegrass groups, The Grascals reach new levels of power and confidence with their third album, Keep On Walkin'. Their trademark blend of traditional bluegrass and classic country with more modern elements has been furth...	Cherryholmes II: Black and White Though the lightning crackling across the CD cover suggests a heavy-metal band (or perhaps a cross between the Addams Family and a Black Oak Arkansas reunion), the second release by Cherryholmes on Ricky Skaggs's label establishes the family band as one of the most promising acts...	Cherryholmes	Fork in the Road
Through the Window of a Train Though bluegrass tradition remains the bedrock of Blue Highway, inspired songwriting and adventurous musicianship keep the quintet's music fresh and contemporary. It may be unfair to spotlight individual musicians in a group as cohesive as this, but the interplay of Rob Ickes on...	Dailey and Vincent The most eagerly-anticipated bluegrass debut in recent memory, Dailey & Vincent introduces a powerful new ensemble steeped in bluegrass and country music traditions, but blessed with the drive, talent, and charisma to assert those timeless values proudly onto today's stage. Co-le...	More Behind the Picture Than the Wall From the heartbreak harmonies of the ballads to the blitzkrieg instrumental breakdowns, the veteran Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver touch all the bluegrass bases on this follow-up to the more spiritually-focused You Gotta Dig a Little Deeper. Not that this secular album is lacking ...	Blind Man Walking This quintet that refers to itself as C-Sky represents a formidable addition to the progressive bluegrass brigade, combining a deep respect for tradition ("Never Been So Blue," in tribute to Bill Monroe) with expansive instrumental interplay (the complex time shifts of "Neighborh...	The Steeldrivers With one foot in the field and the other in the factory, The SteelDrivers are a beacon beaming their own version of rhythm'n'bluegrass far across the musical landscape. Highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session men - with innumerable hits, cuts, and licks to the...

One of the best CDs ever made
I have listened to this CD over and over, and I love it more every time. There is a song on here for everyone. Fans of traditional bluegrass will love "Some Things I Want to Sing About." Fiddle fans will tap their toes to "Sally Goodin." Elvis lovers will be singing along on "Viva Las Vegas." And everyone with a heart will be crying at the end of "Me and John and Paul." Dolly Parton helped The Grascals get their start, and the bluegrass world is still thanking her for it. I can honestly say, this is one of the best CDs that has ever been recorded. Buy a copy for yourself, and one for all your family and friends. And a back-up copy for yourself, when you wear the original out!

Great bluegrass debut CD
This 2004 CD is the debut for the six-member Nashville based bluegrass band. They were a staple at Dollywood in Sevierville, TN for a while and the rocking version of "Viva Las Vegas" on this CD features Ms. Parton on vocals. Just one year later, the song by Harley Allen, "Me and John and Paul" won the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Song of the Year. Coincidentally, this song's my favorite on the CD. It's not about the Beatles--which is the first image the song's title evoked for me, it's about three friends who grew up together and stuck together til the bittersweet end. "Years later I heard Paul came back from the Gulf War So I flew up to Tennessee to visit him once more It didn't shock me none to hear that he'd been brave He'd lost his own life but another one he saved I waited by a tree til everyone had left And I went up and said a prayer were my pal slept And then I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years I didn't need to turn around I knew just who was there" The CD's a lot of covers, traditionals such as "My Saro Jane," "Sweet by and by." All are well done and worth a listen--particularly the instrumental of "Sally Goodin." The collection closes with "The Great Atomic Power" which is a particularly pertinent fifties and sixties protest song, since much of the development of US Atomic Power occurred in Oak Ridge, TN. This CD is a good addition or beginning of any bluegrass collection. It's solid musicianship and a good sampling of traditional music. Dolly Parton calls this one of the best bluegrass CDs she's ever heard and I'd agree with that. Rebecca Kyle, April 2008

Grascals
What can I say..this cd is great the band is great..if you ever get the chance to see theese guys play do it...the cd rocks cuts like me and john and paul..to saro jane to white lightning and viva las vegas..you will love it.

very promising
This is some discovery. Sure, Bluegrass-style bands come by the dozen but this one is really worth the trip. The Grascals consist of six musicians, performing 13 superb songs. The voices, as so often in bluegrass, sound impressively right but the individual level of the musicians is also excellent. A kind of Union Station 2! Note Dolly Parton's participation in "Viva las Vegas". All the melodies are splendid from "Mourning Dove" to the traditionnal "Sweet By And By". A lot of energy, traditional country music, modern sound, the perfect example to bring people to bluegrass or, as they themselves say: "Nashville bluegrass". The album was produced by the Grascals themselves, and they are no doubt a promising band on which to count in the future. FACM ( French Association of Country Music - )

Well compiled
I enjoyed this CD very much after hearing their music on Yahoo radio. I liked all of the songs except for "Viva Las Vegas". Not their fault though, I think thats just a stupid song and making it bluegrass didn't help it any. I feel they are a strong group and hopefully will continue to put out lots of great songs. They have a good full sound and their music is fun and inventive. You will enjoy this CD.