Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

JOANNA~JAMES - Bluegrass & Roses

2/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
JOANNA~JAMES

Bluegrass & Roses
self-released; 2018

​4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

The duo JOANNA~JAMES is a collaborative project by solo artists JoAnna Lewis-Oldfield and James Moore who are both Kentucky natives They describe their release Bluegrass & Roses as an Americana folk album with a hint of that Appalachian bluegrass feel. I find a lot of bands don’t do a very good job explaining their sound but not this band. That sentence really sums up their sound very well.

I have to admit whenever I hear someone say they don’t like dogs a little part of me thinks “how can that be.” How can some part of you not love a big floppy golden retriever waiting for belly rubs? The same kind of question comes to mind with Bluegrass & Roses. It’s the type of music that is so warm and inviting to your ears (the production is amazing) that I couldn’t imagine someone piping up while this is playing saying ”can we listen to something else.”

The album contains thirteen songs all of which are around three minutes. It starts with the title track “Bluegrass & Roses” which is a tribute to Kentucky and more generally nature and the feeling of being home. It’s a tender song with tons of pure emotion to appreciate. Kentucky pride and appreciation is the major theme that runs throughout the album.

The duo is just getting starting. The banjo led “Hey, Kentucky,” jazzy “Redbird Ramble” and sweet “Down at The Gorge” show different sides to their talent while establishing a foundation. The momentum gets joyous and festive with “Louisville Belle,” a traditional song called “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” and “Tulip Poplar.”

“East Kentucky Side” felt a little darker at points but also felt a little more poppy. “Blue as Kentucky” is a softer, melancholy song while “Let’s Taste The Burgoo” felt more bittersweet. “West Kentucky Water Lands” is another winner. “Where The Grass Is Blue” kind of had me cracking up. The song is more or less saying “hey places like California, Michigan and New York sure have a lot to offer but I’m just saying Kentucky has all that beat.” There is also a bonus song called “Kentucky Proud” which by this time every listener was well aware of.

​
Bluegrass & Roses is a well delivered and well written album by two very talented musicians. I feel it’s a good album to play on a Sunday morning and if you happen to live in Kentucky you might play this every morning.
Become A Fan

official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact