Seldom Heard Music
Bluegrass Works
Bluegrass Connection
Seldom Heard Music
Kenny Dawsey
Springfield, MO
From the bluegrass music rich state of Virginia comes an outstanding band with a twenty year history yet a fresh vibrant sound. The Bolt Brothers, Sam and Dan have been involved in the music since they were thirteen. The identical twin brothers are joined by Dan's wife, Stacie on bass and Glenn Scaggs on guitar. The foursome has recently released a new project, "Blue Night" on their Bolt Mill label.
Fans of traditional bluegrass music will love this CD. It is well produced and recorded. Nice versions of old standards such as Lester Flatt's "Why Don't You Tell Me So" and Carter Stanley's "Our Last Goodbye" prove the bands knowledge and love for the "roots" of bluegrass music.
Those looking for something new will enjoy the several original songs included. "When Fall Comes Around" opens the CD with a nice upbeat sound that carries through to the end. The love song, "What She Means To Me" is a particularly nice cut.
The whole feel of the project is very upbeat. Their sound reminds me very much of that of the "Lonesome River Band". I'm sure their nice bouncy style works very well for them in their live shows.
I'm looking for good things to come in the future for the very talented Bolt Brothers Band.
by Joe Ross , Bluegrass Works 07/20/2005
Before spinning this CD, my expectations were not that high. I anticipated another mediocre independent local or regional bluegrass band release. I was very pleasantly surprised when I heard The Bolt Brothers Band, a Virginia-based bluegrsas group whose cohesive sound is built around expert picking and singing on a large well-arranged body of original material. The quartet is Dan Bolt (mandolin), Sam Bolt (banjo), Stacie Bolt (bass), and Glenn Scaggs (guitar). Sam and Dan are twin brothers, and Stacie is Dan's wife. The fine bow work of guest fiddler Bill Hawks adds much to this effort.
Lead vocals sung with conviction by Scaggs are blended nicely with the Bolts' harmonies. Stacie Bolt also has a beautiful voice as she sings lead on two cuts (Why Don't You Tell Me, The Key to Heaven), and Dan Bolt's lead vocals on Carter Stanley's “Our Last Goodbye” are smoothly rendered, without much high-lonesome edginess. The band tears up an instrumental “Fodder Twine,” and they close the album with an inspirational gospel original, “Don't Let the Devil.”
Some of their originals work better than others, and the band emphasizes straight-forward messages that are very easy to comprehend and relate to. Their gospel material provides some of their best songs. Songs like “Don't Give Up” and “Heart Feels the Pain” and “What She Means to Me” are given contemporary arrangement, but they slightly suffer from their commonplace, almost trite, adages. While solid material, I'd encourage them to look for new, provocative messages along with, dare I say it?, a few memorable and catchy phrases or hooks. Their exceptional instrumental and vocal musicianship makes up for any identified shortcomings as songwriters. The Bolt Brothers Band achieved a clean, crisp sound from their recording and mixing of “Blue Night” at Eastwood Studio in Cana, Va.
So just who are The Bolt Brothers Band, and why haven't we heard much about them? It seems that they've been performing for over two decades, and this debut album is going to launch them to new heights of prominence. I'm sure glad they've gotten their music out there for us to enjoy, and it should help land them plenty of engagements. (Joe Ross)
The Bolt Brothers Band
Blue Night
Bolt Mill Music
(Review by Pete Milano) Bluegrass Connection
http://www.Bluegrassville.com
Rating:
The Bolt Brothers Band is a four-person bluegrass-bluegrass gospel group that originates in Floyd County Virginia minutes away from the world famous Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention.
In their liner notes it's stated that the band has been asked to record throughout the years. Only after hearing a few moments of this CD will I say that they should have been forced not asked to record earlier. This is a band that has matured musically some time ago. Along with their original material ( 7 of 12 tracks on this CD alone ), this band is capable of giving any band a run for their money.
From the southwest part of Virginia the Bolt Brothers are located in a region where there is a wealth of bluegrass musicians and music. Only a half-hour drive to County Sales in Floyd and just over an hour to Ferrum where some of the Lonesome River Band (past configuration), and Junior Sisk lead singer for Blueridge reside. Of course there's the short drive north to Roanoke where there is additional bluegrass to be found.
So, could all this surrounding bluegrass have an influence on the Bolt Brothers Band? After listening to this CD I think it could be the other way around that the Bolt Brothers Band can have an influence on the bluegrass community at large.
For those of us who enjoy singing along with the music or learning the words, the Bolt's have the words to all the songs in the liner notes. Unfortunately, by the time the words and credits are entered along with the usual thank you to the friends and family there was no room left for some bio information on the members. Let's hope that they will add the information to their next CD.
"Blue Night", by The Bolt Brothers Band is a CD that you just can't go wrong in purchasing. There is absolutely nothing lacking in the performances on this CD.