Product Description

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to release the new album by multi award winning Bluegrass Super Group the LONESOME RIVER BAND titled NO TURNING BACK . Just last year LRB celebrated 25 years as one of the most popular and influential acts in Bluegrass Music !

They have not looked back since the release of their breakout album, Carrying The Tradition , in 1991, which included current LRB band leader, Sammy Shelor, as well as, Dan Tyminski, Ronnie Bowman and, LRB founder, Tim Austin.

Over the past 25 years the LONESOME RIVER BAND career has been filled with a multitude of awards and recognitions including numerous awards by the IBMA and SPGBMA for Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Bluegrass Vocal Group of the Year and Bluegrass Band of the Year.

Through changes in vocalists and rhythm sections, the constant in the wildly popular LRB sound has been Sammy Shelor s insistent, driving banjo style which has won him Banjo Player of the Year awards by the IBMA 4 years in a row, (1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998).

Them Blues is the first single from the award winning LONESOME RIVER BAND S 12th album and contains current band members: Sammy Shelor (banjo), Brandon Rickman (guitar, vocals), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle), Andy Ball (mandolin, vocals), and Mike Anglin (bass).

The new album, NO TURNING BACK proves again that after over 25 years in Bluegrass Music they still remain one of the most admired and influential acts in the genre!

Track Listing

1. Them Blues
2. Like A Train Needs A Track
3. Long Way From Here
4. Depression
5. Dime Store Ring
6. One Little Teardrop
7. I'm Not There Yet
8. Darkness Wept
9. Molly
10. Somebody's Missin' You
11. Wires And Wood
12. Flowers
13. Strutten' To Ferrum
14. I'd Worship You

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #93386 in Music
• Released on: 2008-09-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Customer Reviews

Bluegrass at its best
This veteran group really comes on strong as they start out with a bluesy number, "Them Blues". These guys play as a unit, there are no guest musicians, and it sounds like it was recorded live.
This group is full of tradition, but their playing and excellence in recording with some effects gives them somewhat more of an acoustic country band sound, but they can play bluegrass riffs with the best.
"Dime Store Rings" is an excellent uptempo ballad with great lyrics and a a real cohesive sound. Their instrument playing is original and will get ya movin'. Their vocals are real tight and emotive, plus original sounding too. "Wires and Wood" is a tremendous song, both vocally and instrumentally. This is a simple, but very rich sounding recording. Overall, real warm sounding.
"Not There Yet" is an excellent uptempo ballad written by guitarist Brandon Rickman and someone else. I love the excellent hooks and the way it blends music with lyrics.
Each song I hear, I love this group more and there are a lot of great groups out there today ,such as Blue Highway, Mountain Heart and Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain.
"Lonesome River Band" is Brandon Rickman - guitar, vocal/ Andy Ball - mandolin, piano,vocal/ Sammy Shelar - banjo and vocal /Mike Anglin-bass and vocal and Mike Hartgrove - fiddle.
"Darkness Wept" is one of the most touching songs that I have ever heard of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
"Struttin to Ferrum" is an instrumental jam song. These guys are a real joy to listen to. Brandon finally erupts on the guitar and gives us a great bluegrass guitar solo. Once again, these guys are a real tight band.
"Flowers" is a sad, but happy song about redemption, death,"Look what it took, for me to finally bring you flowers" ,a real tear jerker -once again, their vocal arrangements are original and so refreshing.
Gotta tell you about one more song, "We Couldn't Tell" is about a family going through the great depression, but they didn't notice because they were poor anyway and had a real family.

It's Still LRB
I have been looking forward to a Brandon Rickman-led version of "Them Blues" on CD, and now I have it. This guy can sing! Some of the other songs are country-flavored, but most hold true to the kind of bluegrass the LRB has pioneered, thanks to the driving, rolling banjo. Sammy Shelor is the king of banjo. (In my opinion, that is!)

Pros: Hard-driving, festival-oriented bluegrass music.
Great singers and musicians.

Cons: The choice of songs isn't in general as good as some other LRB releases.