I have been a Donna Hughes fan for a few years now. She has kept me in her CD's and I have gained a lot of respect of this little Gymnastics coach from North Carolina. Before she was invited to be part of Rounder Records great stable of artists, she produced, marketed, wrote the tunes and picked and sang the tunes with her band. She always turned out a fine album. I am happy that she finally got on a national label, and she has been able to hook up with a terrific producer like Tony Rice, who has brought in such names as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rhonda Vincent, Sam Bush, Alecia Nugent, Carl Jackson who refer's to her as "One of the Best new singer-songwriters in the world of Bluegrass...".
Out of the fourteen tunes on the album most are her own. She released as a single before the album was out "Bottom of the Glass" and "Sad Old Train" which I enjoy myself. Here comes the rub, and it doesn't reflect on Donna's talent and I still recommend going out and getting this album. I don't understand why every artist that Rounder brings on board they have to loose their down home tradional flavor. Yes, Donna can pick's and sing,'s and she can play classical piano and she does it outstandingly. But, why do they want to include tunes with piano and percussion to an artist that has been doing so well in genre of Bluegrass music? I give it 8 Pick's up,so pick it up at your favorite music place or at Rounderrecords.com
-- Edited by UncleBillyDunbar at 04:40, 2007-02-19
-- Edited by UncleBillyDunbar at 04:41, 2007-02-19
-- Edited by UncleBillyDunbar at 19:00, 2007-04-14
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Uncle Billy Dunbar Countryunplugged Bluegrass Radio
I love the new album. Yes, its true, that she's been doing fantastic with writing and singing bluegrass music and all but I love piano (I'm an old plunker myself) so I dont mind the pianer in there on a tune or two... gives ya a little variety in what yer ears hear, they said its spices up yer life! I love spice! ;)
I think Donna can write/could write ANY kind of song.. and make it sound good! She's FAN-TABU- LOUS!
Love it!
Gracie
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MULDOON in the AFTERNOON Friday 1-3 PM Est Muldoon w/The Blue Moon Sat Night 9-11 pm but only -Once in a blue moon!
I first heard Donna sing on WNCW in NC and at the time she was singing mostly mountain style bluegrass. I believe what intrigued me most about her was her song writing. She sent me her first two cds and I began to appreciate her vast array of talent. The new cd ,Gaining Wisdom, is in my opinion a reflection of her vast talent. I've always been a fan and will continue to be one.
I love Alison Krauss too and her new cd A Hundred Miles or More is another example of how a traditional bluegrass singer has expanded her talents to allow us to hear her beautiful voice.
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'To play good bluegrass, it takes more than just being lonesome or feeling lonesome, it's completely insufficient unless you're born lonesome.'
Donna music is special, as is her songwriting. One of the things that stands out most to me is how nice she is. She's a sweet person I'm glad to see good things happening to good people.
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Rick Altis ...................
High Ground ....................
http://www.rickaltis.com/highground.htm
I'm glad to see good things happening to good people.
