Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Ragin' Live
Rounder Records

Rhonda Vincent has now been presented with the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year award for a fifth consecutive year and if you’ve had the chance to hear any of her studio albums you know why. Rhonda possesses a crystal clear voice that soars perfectly above bluegrass music. Add to that the fact that she’s a talented songwriter and instrumentalist and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with in the bluegrass world. Vincent’s reputation for putting on high energy concerts with her band The Rage has now been captured on a new live album titled Ragin’ Live and it’s about all you can expect a live album to be.

The album opens with “Kentucky Borderline”, one of the best tracks from Vincent’s last studio album One Step Ahead. This kind of energetic performance is what you get from every track on this record. “Drivin’ Nails in my Coffin” is another winner taken from The Storm Still Rages. The album does a good job of covering songs from a variety of Vincent’s albums and not getting hung up excessively on the latest release like a lot of live records do. “Missouri Moon”, “One Step Ahead Of The Blues”, and “You Can’t Take It With You When You Go” were all winners the first time around and are equally as strong live.

Ragin’ Live also gives Rhonda’s band The Rage to show off some of their talents. There are performances from different band members including “Cheatin’ Kind of Life”, “Heartbreakin’ Old Achin’ Blues” and the instrumental “Me Too”. All the songs contributed by the band are solid. It’s a testament to the talent of the group of people Rhonda takes on stage with her every night.

If you’re a fan of bluegrass music it doesn’t get much better than Rhonda Vincent. She has the ability to make bluegrass sound bluegrass while also pushing it towards mainstream acceptance. Bluegrass bands are always at their best live and Rhonda has proven that again with Ragin’ Live. Live albums can be hard to pull of but Vincent has gotten it right this time around. This is a live album worthy of a spot in your record collection.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

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.