From the February 6, 2004 edition of The Red Deer Advocate newspaper

Kenny & Amanda Smith Band

House Down The Block

(Rebel Records)

Reigning IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band have just released a cohesive, powerful album that should propel them farther along the hillbilly highway.

Kenny Smith has long been regarded as a superior flatpicking-style guitarist and his lead work throughout this project is impressive. Ron Inscore's steady mandolin chop, accentuated by occasional forays into the fields of flourish, provides a steady, rhythmic presence.

Amanda Smith, besides possessing a voice reminiscent of Valerie Smith and Rhonda Vincent, reveals herself to be an expressive interpreter of both band written originals and material from outside songwriters. The pair of tracks that kick off the album are sweeping ballads devoid of the overwrought histrionics one would encounter in contemporary country music; the restraint of their approach to bluegrass music is admirable- they know the songs are suitably miserable and heart-heavy and feel no compulsion to further manipulate their audience.

Taken as a whole, the album does suffer from a bit of sameness; increased tonal distinctiveness might have offered a more satisfying listening experience. Still, with the added attraction of Steve Huber's powerful banjo work complementing an album leaning toward fresh material, House Down The Block is a worthy addition to bluegrass collections.

BlueRidge

Side By Side

(Sugar Hill)

Last year, by rough estimate, I was fortunate to catch about 50 bluegrass bands in concert, ranging from regional heroes to living legends. No band collectively impressed me more than BlueRidge. BlueRidge is a band that does its best to combine the traditions established by Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers with the contemporary approach taken by bands such as IIIrd Tyme Out and Blue Highway.

With Alan Bibey's mandolin providing the melodic heart of their sound, on this new release the band successfully embraces the finest elements of bluegrass- precision instrumentation, gracefully constructed harmonies, and awe inspiring devotion to the creation of a identifiable banjo-fueled sound. A predominant component of this sound is the voice of Junior Sisk.

It has been said, most recently by Dave Robicheaux, that all real artists seem to disappear into that which they create; therefore, Junior Sisk is an artist of the highest order, as he becomes the words he sings, creating a reality as true as his voice is distinct. Few bluegrass singers capture the country music roots of the genre as effectively as Sisk; the resulting effortless sound is one that softens some of the music's harsh edges. Equally impressive is the quality of his songwriting including the ultimate 'kiss-off' song, What If (Then I'll Come Back To You.)

BlueRidge has recaptured the bluegrass power they established on their previous album, Come Along With Me, and Side By Side should be as favourably received.