"Beat Americana: Out on the Highway with the Songs From the Road Band" Bluegrass has long been the music of the rebellious type, forging a distinct sound apart from its country brethren. Yet it's not necessarily the kind of music that comes to mind when one thinks of a counterculture. Charles Humphrey and his band of acoustic outlaws might just change our minds about that. They seem less intent on proving how different their music is and more inclined to just sing of all the joy and redemption this imperfect world will offer. With an equally exuberant and melancholic ethos seemingly gleamed from the wholly American writers of the Beat Generation, the Songs from the Road Band meshes their unique perspective with a whole lot of natural talent. They are less a group in the conventional sense and more of a musical caravan that travels a landscape of Americana, offering a Whitmanesque view of this country while singing of tales often left untold. Helmed by Charles Humphrey III, the band is a collective of players and vocalists from the young new vanguard of acoustic music. This new album serves as an outlet for the distinct vision of America he has crafted on the road during the past decade as songwriter/bass player for Asheville, NC's nationally-touring, bluegrass powerhouse The Steep Canyon Rangers. As the Crow Flies is the follow-up to 2006's self-titled release, which was marked by a bluegrass-infused, laid-back collection of original country songwriting that equally embraced heartache and the open road. Since then, Humphrey's songwriting has become more poignant, probing and relevant. He explores the trials and tribulations of cannabis farming on the classic-sounding track "How Can It Be Wrong If It Grows Wild" and the agony of an unjust war overseas on the emotional and thought-provoking "What Are We Waiting For," which features a stunning vocal rendition by singer Shannon Whitworth. Humphrey's lyrical canvas shines best when he captures the rustic America and offers a longing for a country of old that embraces a compatriotism that we all yearn for but rarely inhabit. Vocalist Robert Greer (frontman for Asheville bluegrass band Town Mountain) lends his iconic singing on several standout tracks, most notably the pleading, tempo-shifting "Don't Give Up On Me." Instrumentally, the playing on this album is simply outstanding. Every acoustic player is highly skilled and provides numerous, dynamic instrumental breaks throughout the album. You will be hard-pressed to find a fiddler and banjo player more talented than Nicky Sanders (Steep Canyon Rangers) and Andy Thorn (Emmitt-Nershi Band), respectively, and even if you think you did, I bet these guys are still better. Sam Wharton and Mark Schimick share the bulk of the lead singing while also offering their rapid-fire licks on lead guitar and mandolin, respectively. Asheville musician Lance Mill contributes his distinct and natural vocal stylings to two tracks. Of course, bass-playing duties and harmony vocals are provided by Humphrey. His songwriting is an unabashed celebration of our great American folk traditions. As the Crow Flies showcases a talented squad of musicians offering as genuine an exploration into Americana as you will find today. Equally poignant and gregarious, this album is remarkable for its ability to infuse traditional Americana with a highly personal vision of a country still bound for glory. --Daniel Conway, Teachers College

Songs From The Road Band's new cd "As The Crow Flies" has been on the Roots Music Country Chart for 9 weeks and is at 15.  

http://www.rootsmusicreport.com/2.0/charts.php?name=tradcountry&pf=yes

Thanks to everyone has supported our efforts and played the new album!

It is currently availabe at apple itunes, cdbaby.com, and countysales.com !!!

Songs From The Road Band's new cd "As The Crow Flies" is now available at countysales.com !!!

Here's a four star review unfortunately it's in a Dutch I believe. Happy Easter Everyone!

Songs From The Road Band
Opgeslagen in: RECENSIES — john gjaltema @ 9:53 PM
Hoe komen ze er op? Songs From The Road Band is toch wel een uiterst fantasieloze bandnaam. Songs From The Road, dat is zelfs als cd-titel niet bijster origineel. Maar goed, genoeg gezeurd nu. De muziek van deze formatie uit North Carolina is een stuk beter dan je op basis van de bandnaam zou verwachten. Aan de basis is dit bluegrass, maar As The Crow Flies (Lucks Dumpy Toad Records) zal ook liefhebbers van countryrock uit de jaren zeventig aanspreken. De akoestische aanpak van de zeven leden tellende band komt volledig tot recht in liedjes met een kop en een staart. De meeslepende melodieën bieden de instrumentalisten voldoende ruimte en worden naar een nog hoger niveau getild door de prachtige meerstemmige vocalen. Het is trouwens best bijzonder dat een bassist, Charles R Humphrey III, de belangrijkste songschrijver is van de band. Met Song For Gram Parsons bedanken ze GP voor Song For You en al die andere prachtsongs: Would you go back to the desert on a cool autumn night / Away from the crowds and sin city lights / Or way cross to Georgia beneath the sweet southern sky / Revisit your childhood for one last goodbye / What would you say if you could go back in time / One single day after you die / What would you do if you could go back in time / Would you live out your life a little further along / Would you try to make right all the things you left wrong / Would you be a good brother would you be a good friend / Would you put down the needle and pick up the pen / In your hour of darkness did the Lord’s angels grieve / Did you want to stay longer were you ready to leave / Would you rather die young and live on in fame / Or grow to be old and just fade away. Verkrijgbaar bij CD Baby.

Songs From The Road Band's new cd "As The Crow Flies" is now available at apple itunes and cdbaby.com !

Brent Fleury at Bold Life got his hands on a pre release copy of the album, to help our upcoming shows WED DEC 17 GEY EAGLE, THUR DEC 18 THE BACK ROOM FLATROCK and had this to say


Obviously not fans of the idea of building to a crescendo, As The Crow Flies smacks you in the face right off the bat with its title cut and leaves you asking for the license number of the tour bus that just ran you over.  With song titles like "Nobody's Singin' Train Songs Anymore" and  "Wannabe Country Music Star," the vibe of this album is decidedly positive and upbeat, and the musicianship and production values are first-class.  With hints of Hank Williams, Gram Parsons and even a little old school rock and roll, this sophomore album may not be the all-time favorite of bluegrass purists and granted, I was musically weaned on 80s metal (and up until my twenties thought bluegrass was something covering the ground in Kentucky), but As The Crow Flies is hands-down the best bluegrass album I've hear all year.  Stuff it in the stockings of the music lovers on your list this year, safe in the knowledge that even an old metalhead like me digs it.
-Brent Fleury
Bold Life
December 2008

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