| Countryreview.com
"Reviewer for
Countryreview.com"
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| I frequently hear old-time fiddlers wax
eloquently about the need to get younger folks involved with their music
to keep it vibrant and alive. Fiddle contests seem to be a predominant
way that fiddling is being encouraged. On the other hand, the bluegrass
community seems to be stronger in its perpetuation of the music by
supporting its next generation of pickers and singers. Workshops,
classes, jam sessions, and festivals have all recognized the need to
nurture and teach our children well. As Chick Rose, youth music
coordinator for the Wintergrass Festival, reports in the liner notes of
this album, "I am proud to report that traditional music is in good
hands." Athena and the River City Boys are Athena Patterson, Martin Stevens and Tristan Schumacher. These young teens from Portland, Oregon have chosen the guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and bass to present their favorite country and bluegrass numbers. Each musician plays at least three instruments and can sing both lead and harmony. Martin Stevens has been involved in the northwest music community since becoming Washington State's small fry fiddle champ when he was only six. He's also placed in the National Old-Time Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho, won his age categories in various other instrument competitions, and has been in all of the Wintergrass kid's shows since 1995. Tristan Schumacher has experience in musical theater ("Velveteen Rabbit") and recently won first place in a bluegrass bass contest. Athena came to the music by way of her father's interest in singing classics by Hank Williams, Jerry Jeff Walker and John Prine. This debut album includes numbers like Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'," "Your Cheatin' Heart," as well as songs from Marty Robbins, Leon McAuliffe, and Steve Earle. Despite Athena's passionate vocals, the one song that seems to drag a bit is their rendition of "Ode to Billie Joe," and this ballad needs more attention to arrangement and presentation. On the bluegrass side of things, the band picks lively standards like "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "If I Lose." It would be especially nice to see them research and work up more less-standard material like their lively opener, Honi Deaton's "Set Me Free." And, look out if they latch onto some more original material and develop their own unique signature sound. Athena and the River City Boys are starting to land some impressive gigs, and they took home third place in the 2002 Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival's band contest. This showcase album is an accurate presentation of the trio's strengths, as well as their ability to create many musical moods. I hope they'll consider showcasing at a future IBMA trade show and convention. In "Nashville Bound," the band sings about working hard and paying their dues, but these future stars have a clear goal and know that they'll go far if they keep focused on achieving it. With a little luck, don't be surprised if we see them on the Grand Ole Opry before long. (Joe Ross) |
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