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Rhonda Vincent and the Rage - Ragin’ Live
- With this recording Rhonda Vincent and the Rage demonstrates the band’s range and confirm show why they are Grammy nominees. This terrific live (and lively) CD contains a generous twenty-one song selection including some old bluegrass favorites such as the “Martha White Theme” and “Muleskinner Blues.”
Rhonda Vincent ably handles most of lead vocals with tight back up harmonies from the band. Her delivery is especially moving when they slow things down for such songs as “Missouri Moon,” “Ghost of a Chance,” and “You Can’t Take It with You when You Go.” On a number of songs Vincent shares the vocal spotlight with her band members. Bassist Mickey Harris takes a bow on “One Step Ahead of the Blues,” and Josh William sings his own composition, “Cheatin’ Kind of Life.” A standout number here is the bouncy “I’ve Forgotten You,” which should appeal to a hard-core Country and Western audience. Toward the end of the recording Vincent introduces a number of guest instrumentalists who add a rich fullness to “The Last Best Place.”
When I think of bluegrass I tend to associate it with banjo and mandolin instrumentals, but there are some incredible lead guitar breaks—for instance on “Frankie Bell”-- that really spark the album. During a bit of patter Vincent called veteran performer Kenny Ingram the “Fastest Banjo Player in Bluegrass,” and he certainly vies for the title on “Bluegrass Express.”
This album should be a winner for Rhonda Vincent and her band.
Reviewer: William Keogan
new
Reviewer's Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 9.72
Reader's Votes: 7
Added: 28-Mar-2005
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