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"This is fresh-faced old-time country-folk music that's chock full of good-natured fun and lively attitude. It's a fast and furious ride, see if you can keep up." - Download.com
Genre:
Country: Old-Timey
Release Date:
2006
The Morgantown Rounders
© Copyright-Public Domain, Traditional Song, Arrangement by The Morgantown R
(700261200583)
Record Label: Banjos for Peace
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The Morgantown Rounders are an Old-Time string band of eclectic proportions. They are traditionalists pushing the envelope of tradition, infusing high-energy square dance exhilaration into a mix of vintage songs. Unlike bluegrassers, their goal is not to be the fastest trick players but they have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. With a brew of Appalachian tunes at the core you will hear cajun, honky tonk, folk, outlaw country, and other things that rock in varying degrees. From Woody to Hank to Willie to Beau Soleil in the blink of a set, all done as an acoustic string band.
The NEW sound of Old-Time. Rachel Eddy has been a full-time private music teacher and performer for her entire adult life. She is widely known in West Virginia as a fiddler and singer but Rachel also wails on banjo, guitar and mandolin. Scott Phillips, sometimes referred to as the Doctor of Banjology, is the Rounders prodigious clawhammer banjo player. Scott has a serious love for Cajun accordion and also builds his own banjos. Jason Jaros on guitar and mandolin also shares singing duties. Jason is a highly in-demand picker, coming to the Morgantown Rounders via the Halftime String Band and the Hillbilly Gypsies. Walt Sarkees is a seasoned guitarist and bass player who attempts to bring a rock and roll edge to upright bass. Wielding the largest of the bands instruments, Walt is the de facto Captain Rounder.
Rounders so far
In just over a year, The Morgantown Rounders have built a strong following of fans and friends who come to shows ready to dance. The band has quickly become a popular local headliner and their shows around Morgantown with The Avett Brothers, Donna The Buffalo, The Mammals, Hackensaw Boys and Steppin' In It have brought a new youth to the Old-Time scene. The Morgantown Rounders' debut CD is available now.
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Energetic fun!
author: Kent Lockman
Big Scioty and Going Across the Sea are worth the price of the CD alone for me. Love the energy. The energy and enthusiasm sometimes doesn't show on oldtime CDs like it does when seeing a group live. This CD has that energy. Love to see you guys perform in person.
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Good stuff
author: Charles W. Eckles
This CD would be worth buying if for nothing than their version of "Sugar Babe", which is outstanding. I also like their take on classic instumenals like "Big Scioty". I think that these guys would be a blast to see live.
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Real heel-kicker-upper music
author: Joe Ross
Playing Time – 37:29 -- Rounders can refer to people of many, mostly undesirable, characteristics – informers, convicts, and lazy loungers. This group even sings about such a rounder in the song, "Sugar Babe." But, in this album's case, there’s another definition of the slang term that certainly applies -- pleasure seekers. “Dance All Night With A Bottle in Your Hand” is the kind of perfect signature tune for The Morgantown Rounders to demonstrate their melodic mettle to give them and us gratification. Their set of twelve traditional rousers embraces many sounds from the past, tapping the roots of Appalachian and Cajun music. Band members include Rachel Eddy (fiddle, guitar, triangle), Scott Phillips (banjo, Cajun accordion), Jason Jaros (guitar, mandolin), and Walt Sarkees (bass). Instead of singing, the liner notes indicate that band members sang, cackle, holler, and squawk.
It’s a treat to hear these younger funsters presenting traditional music in West Virginie. Rachel Eddy sings with a precocious style on “Uncle Ned” and “Silver Dagger.” If the full-time private music teacher’s fiddle is the spark plug of this band, then it is Scott Phillips’ clawhammer banjo that is a driving piston. Operating on all cylinders, the quartet knows that a successful old-time band has to operate much like a well-oiled engine. In true old-time fashion, they sing with biting vengeance. Jason Jaros’ previous performance experience has been with Halftime String Band and The Hillbilly Gypsies. Imparting a rock and roll edge to upright bass, Walt Sarkees is affectionately known as Captain Rounder.
While some songs work better for them than others, I’m certain that The Morgantown Rounders’ music will further develop and mature in the years ahead, and they’ll find their niche in the old-time music scene in their neck of the woods. There’s plenty of rootin’ and tootin’ on their debut album, and I’m certain that they’d be a big hit at parties and watering holes. This is real heel-kicker-upper music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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Beautiful Mountain Music !
author: David Powell
Beautiful Mountain Music ! Sound Quality is great !
Feel like I'am Back in Caanan Valley sitting on Dolly Sods Mountain.
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