The Rockridge Brothers CD - "No Sleep Till Rockridge"

Claire and I had the privilege to host the Rockridge Brothers ( The Rockridge Brothers are: Peter Frovik on guitar, Ralf Fredblad on the fiddle, Kristian Herner on the banjo and Pontus Juth on double bass) last summer, and we had a wonderful time getting to know Kristian, Ralf, Pontus, and Peter.   The visit was way too short, but we packed a lot of music in with a great garage concert that was highlighted in one of my earlier blogs.   Here's a link if you are interested

http://billfahys.blogspot.com/2012/01/summer-2011-rockridge-brothers-hit-town.html

However, they left us with a gift - their just released CD "No Sleep till Rockridge" which we have been enjoying ever since.  I've also loaded it up to my ipod, and it gets heavy rotation there.    An old time band from Stockholm Sweden playing traditional American music as good as many of the masters - how cool is that?

Recently, I received a copy of the Old Time Herald and there was a review of the CD.   It was mostly favorable, but I felt a lot of the reviewers comments perhaps a bit harsh and that overall the review did not do justice to the CD.

First - this is one very talented group of musicians.  The level of skill they have attained on their instruments is as good as any of the top touring US Old Time Bands I've heard.   I'm not comparing them to Bluegrass Acts, though they would hold up well compared to most, because the Brothers choose to present their music in the traditional Old Time Style.

  

What sets them apart from many Old Time Bands is the energy level they push out to the listener.   They don't sit back and play - when necessary they attack the song or tune in a manner that forces attention.  They draw you in.    They have the energy level of any Bluegrass band I've heard.

I also like the fact that they are not slaves to tradition - they respect the music form, but do not feel the need to copy note for note how the old timers played a tune, or sang a song.   To me the mark of a truly great musician is the ability to make a song or tune their own, even if they have not written it.   (Bob Dylan lamented on his radio show recently that most songwriters today do not write for others to interpret, and we are losing a lot of great music).   The Rockridge Brothers know how to interpret the music so it's still not just  Old Time, but Rockridge Old Time.   Check out their version of "Wild Bill Jones" - that is now the standard for me.

The vocals are tight and the harmonies perfect - which is welcome to me,  as I can't say that about most Old Time vocals.   You can tell these boys have played together a long, long, time.    I like the fact that they don't go for the High Lonesome Sound.   The lower range makes them sound raw and pure, not strained falsetto.   Most Old Time Bands working the circuit would love to be able to put our vocals like this.   If more did I think Old Time Music would draw more fans.

The cuts range from the high energy opener - the classic "John Henry"  to the thoroughly enjoyable ballad "Wayfaring Stranger"  (my favorite on the disc)   showing their range from hard driving in your face, to a slow peaceful ballad.   Most of the songs and tunes are real toe tappers though.   

If you are a fan of Old Time or Bluegrass I think you'll like this CD!   My only complaint was that I could not find it on CD Baby, but we are living in a digital world, so you can go to itunes and get it there.   Plus itunes has a bonus track - Tamlin - love the slow guitar banjo intro!!!! (Rachel did you have anything to do with that?)

Old Time Music need more bands like the Rockridge Brothers!!!!!!!