Special Consensus, Rivers and Roads Review

CountryMust Have!

Special Consensus, Rivers and Roads Review 1

The Special Consensus are back with their nineteenth band recording titled, Rivers And Roads released on Compass Records. The band released their first album back in 1979 and have been going strong ever since. The band members include: leader/banjo player Greg Cahill (the former President/Board Chair of the Nashville-based International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the former Board Chair of the Nashville-based Foundation for Bluegrass Music and a recipient of the prestigious IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award), guitarist Rick Faris, bassist Dan Eubanks and mandolin player Nick Dumas.  The quartet is an outstanding bluegrass band that has the perfect combination of classic vocabulary and style with just enough modern sound to bring them into the currant age of bluegrass. On Rivers And Roads the band performs ten selections with heartfelt singing and spot on harmonies, the playing is virtuosic, but still melodic, which is the cornerstone reason why people have come to love The Special Consensus. That’s the short of it!

Positives:

An enjoyable collection of tunes, styles, and tempos. The singing is top-notch, and the playing is astounding. These boys can play!

Bottom Line:

The Special Consensus continues to consistently bring us bluegrass that is grounded in the hallowed American musical form with energetic virtuosity and robust vocals. Spec C just keeps getting better and better, their arrangements are inventive and the chemistry between the band members is unmatched. It is hard working bands like Spec C that keeps bluegrass music moving forward and Rivers And Roads is another big step in keeping the American music form alive and well!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.