Home Away from Home
"Making an album is a daunting task at the best of times, and making an all-original CD is like combining brain surgery, rocket science and madness ! Vincent Cross has managed the impossible and combined all three, and more, and made a fine recording which is distinctive and original, and will serve as a fine example to others who are tempted to follow the same path.Recommended!"
--'Roots Freeway' Niall Toner, RTE, Ireland 2008
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Despite his Irish heritage, Vincent Cross has wisely decided to avoid the sort of Appalachian/Celtic fusion which so often drags the genre into disrepute and concentrate on producing a pure bluegrass album, with fairly successful results. He is blessed with a versatile voice which can ably evoke that high, lonesome sound whilst deepening its nuance for the more mellow numbers, in which respect he is quite reminiscent of Tim O'Brien. And although Good Company might not be truly exceptional pickers of the Bush/Fleck/Meyer variety, they provide strong support, dominated by the fiddle of Bruno Bruzzese.
The greatest challenge when producing an album of traditional bluegrass is to offer something original within the relatively defined melodic structure. The typical method by which to do this is lyrically and on songs such as Minus Love or Heart In Hibernation, Cross provides some fine examples of the droll, aphoristic hooks needed to distinguish such material. Many of the songs are quite short and whilst this can be a virtue in that they never outstay their welcome, some are too brief to really establish themselves. Consequently, whilst there are no bad tracks here, there are several throwaways.
Cross succeeds in another challenge of the genre in that the
sound of the album rarely comes across as too polished and although the band are
as slick as you would expect, there is the requisite amount of grit to maintain
a sense of soul. A failing, perhaps, is a certain homogeneity. It is inevitable
to extent with the string band format but its effects could have been mitigated
by more attention to the track listing, with fewer songs in the same key placed
next to each other. It doesn't detract too greatly but in a musical form quite
so entrenched, you have to go to great lengths to avoid succumbing to
over-familiarity.
Americana UK:
February 07, 2009--Kai Roberts
Solid bluegrass debut------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vincent Cross has put together an eclectic mix of
original songs on his album, “Home Away From Home,” a fitting title for this
outstanding guitar and mandolin player. Cross, who hails from
Ireland but makes his home in the New York City area, manages to sound like he
is straight out of the Appalachian mountains. The album gets off
to a strong start with “Guess I’m Doin’ Fine,” an upbeat number despite a
typically-sad story of lost love. Throughout the album, Vincent
Cross displays an innate skill with his vocal interpretation of a song.
On the title cut, his voice is somewhat reminiscent of Chris Thile, while
on “Grandma’s Home Brew” I think Cross sounds a bit like Bob
Dylan. It seems Cross has the uncanny ability to sound like anyone
he chooses, but, truly, Cross’ style is all his own. This album is
reflective of the true versatility of Cross’ musical prowess.
Joining him on the album is Andy Cartoun, a well-respected banjo player
in the New York area who does not disappoint in giving listeners the drive one
looks for on a bluegrass album. Bruno Bruzzese is a virtuoso on
the violin, coming from a background of a wide range of musical styles, most
notably Middle Eastern music. His fiddle playing accurately
portrays the emotion behind the song and his deftness on the instrument is
prominent throughout this fine album. If you like the sound of the
mountains, this album is for you.
The Bluegrass Mix:
Teri Ann McLean
NYC, 2009
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“I got your fine new CD & have already played a couple tracks on
"Blue Grass Time". You sure have a way with your writing & singing
and it comes out real & original.
I'll send more soon, I want to sit with it a bit and will send a longer
"review" although I'm not much of a writer. You can be sure of some
airplay on WUSB from me my friend.”
Keep up the good work and let’s pick.
Buddy Merriam
WUSB 90.1 FM Stony Brook,
Radio Long Island, New York
USA
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"Vincent Cross is one of the newer up and coming bluegrass singer/song
Writers. His latest release "Home Away From Home" show cases not only
his great singing but it also features his great song writing.All 12
songs are originals written by Vincent. This is a must have bluegrass
project.
-Charlie Hall: wcyofm.com:Lexington, KY
USA
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“So I'm on the third listen of the album. Really nice work, you
ragamuffin you. The title track, "Out of My Head", and "Any Reason" are
the ones that truly tickle my fancy right now. Whatever the bluegrass
equivalent of "Rock on!!!" is, then that is what I wish to express to
you”.
Nads Paul Jones-New York,USA
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“I have had a listen to your my space tracks and I believe you are on
the button there my friend! I like bluegrass anyway and it's nice to
hear original material in that style. Well done you have the high
lonesome voice down to a tee.” Dec 9, 2008
“Just to let you know I have received your CD from CDbaby, and have
been enjoying it very much. The songs are strong, the singing is great
and it is all very well produced. You can be proud of your work, good
luck with it.
Steve Jinski-UK:England
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“First thing that popped into my head was that there was a bit of the
Del McCoury sound in there, especially with your voice. All good
stuff.”
Aran: Dublin-Ireland
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"Vincent Cross is an exceptional talent. His sublime vocals and
inspired songwriting are backed up by his own and his band's well
crafted instrumental skills creating a sound worthy of any stage. Book
him now while you can still afford him!"
Chris Short: France
The Churchfitters
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"Vincent Cross wraps his high lonesome sound around
unique original
material and always displays a sincere
passion for Americana/Roots
and Bluegrass music; he's a city boy with great country
music
instincts!"
--Jen Larson : Straight Drive:
NYC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You’ve "You've written some truly memorable songs which you
present with some real originality and authority. You’ve definitely got your
own thing going … and it’s a good thing!"
Dave Higgs: Bluegrass Breakdown: Nashville Public Radio
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"Vincent Cross writes good, honest American songs and belts them out so
that you can hear them travel across the prairie -- not bad for a guy born in Dublin and raised in Australia. His songs are rooted in bluegrass and country tradition
both thematically and stylistically, yet he is also willing to push at the
edges a little bit, introducing a subtle sensitivity. He seems to be having a
lot of fun doing what he's doing, and that's an infectious thing."
Matt Winters: The Moonshine Show, WKCR, NYC.
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“When someone asked Bob Dylan if he believed in God, he said,
“I believe in Hank Williams singing 'I saw the light'." Well I believe in
Vincent Cross singing 'I saw the light.'"
--Adrian Murica-NYC
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"Bluegrass
fans rejoice: the “high lonesome sound” is alive and well in New
York City. In
his debut album, Home Away From Home, singer-songwriter Vincent Cross has put
together a collection of original tunes that sound as if they were a newly
discovered cache of gems from the early days of bluegrass. From the sweet, wistful title cut to the
edgy and powerful “I’m Doing Fine” and “Laugh My Cry,” Vincent’s songs evoke a
range of emotions not often found in contemporary bluegrass. And Vincent delivers those emotions in a
voice that is soaring and expressive, evoking the likes of Ralph Stanley, Bill
Monroe and Del McCoury. With first-rate
support from his band Good Company (Bruno Bruzzese on fiddle, Andy Cartoun on
banjo and Allen Cohen on bass) and solid work by Vincent himself on guitar and
mandolin, this album is not to be missed."
-- Arnold
Fleischer: Emelin theatre, Mamaroneck, NY
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“Home Away
from Home” is the recording debut of Vincent Cross (guitar, mandolin, and
vocals) and his band Good Company. The dozen selections were penned by Vincent
and carried off in hard-driving bluegrass style. Some of the more interesting
titles include “Sensitize,” “Minus Love,” and “Out of My Head.” For the first
time out, “Home Away from Home” is a successful endeavour, and hopefully there
will be other projects to follow.
--Bluegrass Unlimited - 2009
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Old Time sounds for new tunes!
Home Away From Home is Vincent's latest album and it is a beautifully honed
thing. Most bluegrass bands get a bad rap for playing covers or re-treading
traditional tunes...and perhaps rightly so. BUT, here we have 12 original songs
written by Mr. Cross. These are tunes that don't sound "old" but timeless.
These are songs that should have been played years ago.
Most of the songs are of the heartbreak variety and Vincent's voice does
well...high and lonesome in two part harmonies. Good Company, Vincent's backing
band, are all consummate pickers and do well in service to the songs. No instrumental
wankery here (Another pet peeve of bluegrassers). My only wish is for another
bluegrass breakdown, there is the song After Hours but I just wanted one more.
If you want bluegrass that sounds right and true, then this is for you.
-Anonymous: 2009-06-24
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Follow the link for purchase:http://cdbaby.com/cd/vincentcross