We first saw The
Hagar's Mountain Boys, in one of their very first performances,
at the Rivertown Bluegrass Society in Conway, SC about four years
ago. At that time they were raw, just beginning to feel their way
into becoming a band. A year or so ago, at the Willow Oak Bluegrass
Festival in Roxboro, NC they were schedule for six sets over three
days. This heavy duty schedule stretched their repertoire and their
voices to the breaking point. Nevertheless, their work showed an
increased maturity of vision as well as vastly improved performances
and musicality. The addition of Blake Johnson on vocals added
significant talent to their sound. Now, with the release of their new
CD “Forever Yours,” under the guidance of founder and front man
Ricky Stroud has produced a fine, traditional bluegrass album that
should have broad appeal.
Ricky Stroud
Produced by Jason Moore , Mountain
Heart bassist, “Forever Yours” offers four originals, one penned
by Blake Johnson and the others carefully selected, as well as
several appropriate covers that span the bluegrass waterfront pretty
well. Except for the appearance of Jim Van Cleve on fiddle, the
present recording displays the talents and skills of the band you'd
see and hear at bluegrass festivals or other performances. As news
of this young band gets around, they are being seen more widely,
including an appearance in Florida this winter. The tempos and
strong rhythm the band generates captures the excitement of
traditional bluegrass with most songs having been written fairly
recently.
Blake Johnson
Blake Johnson shows a first class high
baritone bluegrass voice with good timbre and plenty of soulfulness,
communicating emotion and commitment to the song. It's an honest and
strait forward voice that's easy to listen to and rewarding. His
range of emotion and ability to sell content adds a fresh dimension
to the genre. His singing on Travis Tritt's “Anymore” reaches out
to a listeners heart. He does a creditable job on bass. Ricky
Stroud plays solid and tasteful mandolin as well as contributing a
good lead on one song. His harmonies are dead on and he's to be
commended for having the humility, as the band's founder and front
man, to leave the heavy vocal lifting to the very talented Johnson.
Mike Johnson, Blake's father and the band's guitarist, contributes
three leads and offers solid harmonies. The band shows its musical
versatility on the traditional a capella gospel song “Lord, Don't
Leave Me Here,” Cliff Smith on banjo offers capable work along with
good vocal harmonies.
Cliff Smith
“Forever Yours” is a very pleasing
effort by the Hagar's Mountain Boys. It has been released on a
private label, and can be obtained from the HMB
web site. Steve Gulley wrote the liner notes. This CD presents
a refreshing new band in a good light. It's worth your attention.
Ricky Stroud
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