Still Crooked

So I waited awhile to do this review, as I wanted to wait for this album to sink in. The first 2 albums were 2 of my favorite 10-20 albums of all time, any band, any genre. Then something happened between the 2nd and 3rd albums: Rushad Eggleston, the original cellist, left the band.For me, Rushad is who drew me to the band in the first place. Someone said "you have to come see this guy play the cello." I did, and I fell in love with the whole band. So I decided to give this 3rd album a try even though the band subtracted Eggleston and added another cellist and the fiddler.At first I plain did not like it. But I held off on writing the review, b/c I wanted to give them a fair chance. Over time, the album improved to be "OK" in my book. That is all. Rushad is an amazing talent that just cannot be replaced. Don't get me wrong, the new cellist is excellent. A very very good musician. But if you replaced Jimi Hendrix with say, some guitarist from the Cleveland Orchestra, it's just not going to be the same.Another thing is the song selection. I thought it was not nearly as good in this album as in the first 2. To me, here are the outstanding songs by album:Album 1, "Hop High": Darling Corey, Angeline the Baker, Last Fair Deal Gone Down, Orphan Girl, Lonesome Road, Rank Stranger, Shady Grove.Album 2, "Shaken": Can't you Hear Me Callin, New Railroad, Lone Pilgrim, Come on in My Kitchen, Railroad Bill, Wind and RainAlbum 3: "Still Crooked": I don't know. Maybe 1 or 2 songs could make this list.If I had never heard the first 2 albums, this probably would have been 4 stars. But they raised the bar so high for themselves.So if all you want is very good musicians and a great singer playing an intriguing style of bluegrass, then this is for you. But after their first 2 albums, Crooked Still left me craving much, much more.

For those new to Crooked Still this is an excellent introduction to their style. Still Crooked combines original song-writing with new takes on classic folk tunes all with deep gothic sound. If you are a fan of contemporary folk music and are looking for the one Crooked Still album to own, this is it. However, for those new to progressive bluegrass, Still Crooked could be a great first listening experience. The composition of the songs is absolutely beautiful and the album stands a stern rebuke for those who think that American folk music cannot tackle the darker side of modern existence.

I first heard this band on a cable music channel and ordered the CD right away. Every song is as good as the last, and I have to say for a bunch of kinds from Boston, they can play bluegrass as good as any down home southern group! I have had this album for less then a week and have already listened to it so much (literally about 50 times) it is starting to skip in the cd player.I highly recommend this album, it has a lot of character and a great sound.

No complaints. Great CD, fast delivery, no problems.

Really good mellow album

Enjoyed this immensely.

Wile writing this review I am listen to the CD. And one thing that struck me, is the quality of the musicans. They are realy good and one get's the feeling that they are enjoying themselves while making very good music.The singing is dreamy but get's the message trough.Excuse my poor Englisch, feel free to correct where necessary.Richard H.K. Pohlmann

Great music, what else to say.

Crooked Still have produced two excellent CDs of bluegrass with a twist - the twist being the interplay between four instruments in which the cello plays an unorthodox but brillient part (think bluegrass crossed with the best type of chamber music playing). Here they add an additional fiddle player, which although in theory should add to the overall range of their sound, to my ear actually takes away some of the drive and energy that they achieved previously and was the standout quality of their work. There are some good tracks here, but nothing quite up to the best of their previous work. Still just about worth four stars, but not quite up to the high expectations set by the previous two CDs.

Bought as a gift and apparently has bought hours of enjoyment.

Saw this group in Norwich and were so impressed that we bought a CD there and then and enjoyed that so sought out another one and have not been disappointed.

Great Players

Le troisième album que je découvre ; comme les deux autres, je l'écoute en boucle et je ne m'en lasse pas. Comme les deux autres, un indispensable !