Press

Bluegrass Unlimited Review by Art Menius
Mention "family bluegrass band," and after a few moments of missing the Lewis Family pass, too often my mind summons up images of twee, cloying, smiling, unimaginative, unchallenging bluegrass, heavy on standards or pop-grass. Sure, after Cherryholmes I should know better than to assume such, but I was not expecting Rigney Family Bluegrass to come across on Familiar Paths as creative, serious, and, dare I say it, interesting.

For a start, this their third CD contains 12 original songs. That is a breakthrough for a band that recorded a lot of standards on the first two albums. Only the three instrumentals composed by primary lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Rigney come from the band. They selected the other nine from familiar and emerging bluegrass songwriters, including Jerry Salley, Rick Lang, Dennis Duff, and Lisa Shaffer.

Using this wealth of material, the Rigney Family tries to cover all the bases from the progressive instrumental above to Lang's "Wind In The Valley," a fine neo-traditional outing. "My Father In Me" by Dick Gaskin brings them into mainstream bluegrass territory musically with lyrics that touch on classical bluegrass themes. Contemporary bluegrass gospel is well represented by Duff and Shaffer's "The Greater God's Love Will Shine."
The band seems comfortable with and committed to all this differing material. The weakness to Familiar Paths is that Rigney Family Bluegrass pushes in too many directions for just one CD. Versatility is a powerful tool that has to be employed with some moderation to have full effect. The band is making a major leap forward from standard bearer to recording artists by debuting strong material. Everything does not have to be accomplished on just one album. A little more focus will permit them to channel their many strengths to greatest effect in creating a signature approach that applies across styles.



WiscJoe Host of Heartland Bluegrass
Familiar Paths is a wonderful, fresh new project from the very talented Rigney Family. From the first track “That Path Familiar” about the comfort of going back to your roots, to the mournful song “Wind in the Valley” of lost love, to the fast paced last track “0600 Train” about leaving it all behind. You will discover superb instrumentation along with tight family harmony that makes the Rigney Family very special, a must have for any bluegrass lover!

WiscJoe host of Heartland Bluegrass
www.bluegrassmix.com


Backroads Bluegrass, Al Shusterman, KCBL
"No matter what your musical tastes the "Rigney Family Bluegrass Band" has supplied a wide variety of songs for even the most discriminating listener". The "Band" glides from ballads to gospel, & instrumental very easily knowing what each member will do with "that practiced touch". I was captivated the entire time I was listening to this this project. Were I in at a "live performance" I know I would be standing up & yelling for more!! This band has gotten much better in the last few short months since their last project. I can't wait to share this fine this "fine jewel" with my listeners."


Lonesome Road Review, Larry Stephens
"The Rigney Family Band evokes some comparisons to a better known name, the Cherryholmes: they are a family band, there is a mixture of the parents and the kids, and listening to some of the numbers on Familiar Paths I hear a strong resemblance to Skip Cherryholmes' singing and material..."

"The Rigney Family are accomplished musicians and the songs are interesting. The production values are good. If you like a modern sound to your bluegrass, you'll like this CD."


Prescription Bluegrass Blog, WJ Hallock
"A FAMILY that plays music together seems to have an edge over other musical units. There is a closeness, an understanding, a feel and a love that only comes with blood. And brothers have an innate sense for each other that can sometimes only be called magic. Think of the Stanley’s, the Louvin’s, the Everly’s….. even the Osmond’s had that secret weapon! Andrew and Grant Rigney appear to have that very same “Gift” going for them.

On The Rigney Family Band’s new CD, “Familiar Paths,” Andrew, on guitar, mandolin and banjo and Grant, on fiddle and mandolin are backed by their parents, Melissa on upright bass and Mark on banjo. That parental support system is the foundation that allows these two young men to soar. And soar they do! They duet on “Hop, Skip and a Jump” on just guitar and mandolin and this Andrew written song almost reaches the stratosphere. They transcend bluegrass in a very jazzy direction which make it and the other two instrumentals on this CD, also written by Andrew, delightfully fun to listen to. Andrew and Grant play with a maturity and dexterity that is almost scary. Think how good they’ll be as adults……

On the remaining nine cuts, Andrew sings lead with Grant and Dad adding harmonies. And here is where the magic works again. Their harmonies are wonderfully tight. FAMILY tight! On “That’s How You Break A Heart,” guest Becky Buller adds her voice to give the song an angelic sweetness. The song selection and their placement on this CD is well thought out and interesting. Anticipation is a good thing, it keeps the listener hooked. ...."