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Little By Little - Stevens Sisters | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
I first heard of the Stevens Sisters when I saw them perform on the Grand Old Opry. The host, Mike Snider, called them a bluegrass band and the label they're signed to, Rounder Records, would lend one to assume that as well. However, after one complete listen to their new record Little By Little, these girls ain't no bluegrass band. Sure they have bluegrass elements to all their songs, but these sisters sound closer to the Judds than they do to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. If I had to compare them to anyone, I'd say they are a cross between the Dixie Chicks and The Kinleys.
The Stevens Sisters, Beth and April, like their music to be progressive like the Kinleys while containing their bluegrass elements, like the Dixie Chicks do. I am surprised that these talented and easy on the eyes sisters aren't on a bigger label. Since "O Brother, Where Art Thou" came out two years ago, there's been a roots music explosion and The Stevens Sisters could be heard on any contemporary radio station.
Their song selection is superb. There's a few elegant covers, Lynard Skynard's "Tuesday's Gone" done as a slow tear-in-your-beer weeper, and the delightful "I'll Never Say Goodbye" which was a huge hit for Dolly Parton and features Dolly's beautiful harmonies in the background. The other cover is a wonderfully acoustic version of Kim Richey's "Those Words We Said." This song is the one I saw them perform on the Opry and I was shocked at how great it sounded as a bluegrass song.
Producer Richie Owens mixes the sister's vocals well with the fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dobros and the upright basses to make you feel as if you were at a performance of theirs. For the record, Richie Owens is Dolly Parton's cousin and also produced her Hungry Again album. In addition to the previously mentioned covers there's songs written by Tony Arata ("The Dance"), Shawn Camp ("Two Pina Coladas") and Irene Kelley ("A Little Bluer Than That").
"Little By Little" was written by Steve Dean (a perennial favorite of George Strait) and is about a couple who slowly but surely realize that they are in the kind of love that many people wish for. Featuring some strong percussion and a stellar guitar and mandolin lead, this song could and should be a hit on Country radio. Beth sings the leads on this track.
"Walk On By" was written by Shawn Camp and Benita Hill and has a sound that sounds eerily like the Judds. The theme of the song is about how a woman who insists she'll be OK after a bitter breakup. There backing band is again a competent group of musicians who have played on many records. some names that play on this track include New Grass Revival's Sam Bush, Mike Henderson and dobroist Al Perkins. Beth sings leads on this track as well.
If any track on the CD could be considered a bluegrass song, it is "Wherever You Are." Written by Mike Henderson, who surprisingly doesn't play guitar on it, the song is about a woman who is still in love with her old boyfriend, wherever he is. April not only sings leads but also plays the fiddle on this fun track which sounds as if it came off one of Patty Loveless' late 90's albums.
While the CD is predominantly upbeat, there are some stellar traditional styled ballads like "Lonesome Wind." Sounding as if they are Dolly Parton or Alison Krauss, this track is about a woman who is so lonely after her breakup that she doesn't want the chilling wind to come around. April sings the lead vocals while Beth plays a dobro and banjo rolled into one instrument which is simply called the dobrobanjo.
With it's smart lyrics written by the great Tony Arata, the bluesy "Love Every Time" is about a woman who doesn't fall for political promises, fads, or anything except falling in love every time it comes her way. This track really has a Kinleys sound to it. April takes the lead while the masterful bluegrass musician Rob Ickes plays a mean dobro solo.
Who would've guessed that a Kim Richey mournful ballad, "Those Words We Said," could be re-arranged into a mile-a-minute bluegrass song? Certainly not me for I adore Kim's songs and albums. I really love this song and would call it my favorite on the CD.
If you really want a CD that mixes some awesome acoustical instruments and great almost angelic vocals, then this Stevens Sisters Little By Little album is one you should absolutely own.
Song List:
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
Album cover, used with permission of Rounder.
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