Album Review
Rhonda Vincent
One Step Ahead
Rounder Records
Purchase The Album
With One Step Ahead Rhonda Vincent has cemented her spot at the top of the current bluegrass explosion. It seems like only yesterday that bluegrass had taken a back seat to the slick pop-flavored country music coming out of Nashville. Then Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? happened. Suddenly you had major stars like Dolly Parton and Patty Loveless recording bluegrass albums. Through all of this Rhonda Vincent has been making great bluegrass records. She has a crystal clear voice that simply soars and her last couple of records released under Rounder Records have been outstanding. It seems like every time that Rhonda makes an album she gets better and One Step Ahead is easily the album of her career.
The album opens with the upbeat “Kentucky Borderline” and within the first minute you know that something special is happening. Rhonda’s confident vocals and masterful mandolin drive the song and there is no turning back. From the first song Rhonda has got you hooked. “Riding The Red Line” is another soon to be classic bluegrass romp. These upbeat songs are some of the best that Vincent has ever recorded. Alison Krauss joins Rhonda on the title track “One Step Ahead” and the result could be the best track on the album. However, my personal favorite is “Caught in the Crossfire” which is a heartbreaking song about a kid caught between two battling parents. This song should be a single.
There are also some knockout ballads on this record. “You Can’t Take It With You When You Go” is breathtaking. Then you have “Missouri Moon” which is a dose of classic country lonesome. It’s a song that would feel at home on mainstream country radio while still remaining very traditional sounding. That is not something that’s easy to do. “Fishers of Men” is sure to leave some jaws dropped.
In short, One Step Ahead is a flawless, powerful collection of bluegrass tunes. There is simply no one out there performing this style of music better than Rhonda Vincent. If you don’t own this album already, you have no idea what you’re missing. Buy two copies and share one with a friend. They won’t soon forget it and neither will you. Rhonda Vincent has sent one out of the park.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
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The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection. This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level. This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there. A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy. This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark. |