I agree with Elana and Doug. The songs on this album really are lovely. I am Mariah's cousin. I would tell you how this osng makes me feel, but I think Elana already put it best. Thank you.

I just found this cd and it is amazing. I must say You explained mariah to a T. We were very close growing up, and hearing this song brought back so many memories. along with a smile and tear. I know she would have loved this!!!!

I wasn't completely certain how much I'd enjoy this CD when I first listened to the samples on CD Baby, since I had never owned anything like it before. But I got Song Stories last night and I've listened to it three times already. It's perfect and complementary for the windy, leaf-y autumn weather that we have right now. All the music on Song Stories is truthful and real like folk is meant to be. The songs cover a nice mixture of content styles, varying from enchantingly sentimental commemerative ballads to true stories showcases the darknesses and lights of life to socail commenting folk protest songs with a touch of idealism to comedy songs with opinions (opinions that I tend to agree with). But in each of the different kinds of content, Ramblin Ron puts in his own emotion and wisdom. All of the songs are connected by the common playing style and Ron's fitting, steady vocals (perfect for this type of folk music). Musically speaking it is also an excellent album. The guitar playing is seemingly basic, but that is an asset to the straight-forward/bare truth style more than anything else. The Primatives accompany Ron's music on a number of the songs, showing some musical virtuosity as they perfom in the background adding charmingly melodic vocal harmony, beautifully flowing flute solos, and a solid bass line that lends itself well to Ron's musical form. The songs with these things gain an added grandeur and complexity, but the songs without them are strong and complete in their own rite. To try and essentuate some of the CD's highlights - many of the songs are enjoyable pieces from an insturmental angle (meaning just for the sound of it all), particularly Colorado, Alaska, C&O Canal, Ashes To The Deep, Needle For My Child, and Garden Walls With Roses. Colardo and C&) Canal are some of my favorites for that reason and for their reminiscent aspects. Alaska has a feeling of importance and both happiness & sorrow that go along with it. Another favorite of mine would be Where The Gentle Flowers Grow because of its soft sound and reflective messege. Toast to Life and Love is definetly one of the songwriting highlights. The suggestion that "maybe you'll understand us when we meet up above" is a meaningful sentiment that is far from common-place. An honorable picture of the future is painted by one of the latter lines as it explains that the gay lifestyle will be accepted and the lifestyle of hatred would not. Much of the lyrical content on the album is understandable and real while commenting on basic ideas with elogance. Overall a great work. Wonderful songwriting, wonderful vocals & recording, wonderful aesthetic quality, and the album flows.

I’ve had your “Song Stories” CD for about a month and find the production quite diverse, from heartfelt ballads about Mariah Quant and Matthew Shepard to subtly shaded humor about silly family possessions. I got a kick out of “Placebo Poppin Junkie” and it’s about time a country dude got it on with “Old Man’s Rap”. I loved the giggling girls in the background, chittering wildly.