Rhonda Vincent "Good Thing Going"

Friday, January 25, 2008

Rhonda Vincent
“Good Thing Going”
Rounder Records
Release Date: January 8, 2008

**note: visit the amazon.com link above to listen to clips, buy in album or MP3 format, and to watch a very nice video about the making of the album**

Country music fans and I mean real country music fans have to really dig hard to find what they are looking to hear these days. Honestly, with the exception of a few artists, traditional country music is endangered. However, we are in luck looking in other sister-styles of music such as contemporary bluegrass. To get that sound, that is where I turn, and Rhonda Vincent’s newest release “Good Thing Going” is a great example.

Vincent’s lengthy career has showcased her talented vocals and furthermore the detailed attention given to the highest quality of instrumentation in each musical project she displays her name on. “Good Thing Going” is a continued example of this signature trademark of Vincent. From the first note to the very last, there is no doubt of the artist you are enjoying.

The album begins with a very nice instrument-filled tune called “I’m Leavin” that showcases Vincent’s wonderful bluegrass vocals and has you yearning to even more. Trust me, there is much more on this album that continues that urge, like the title track that is upmost entertaining to listen to.

What really sparked my interest in this project is reading the album notes and how so closely Vincent’s bluegrass style of music compliments country music’s emphasis on real-to-life lyrical strength. Each song has its own story and background to it. Writing is so very important, and this album highlights this importance very nicely.

Oh yes, I must mention that Vincent does get a Martha White song into the album, just have to love it.

This album does have a few surprises.

III Tyme Out’s Russell Moore lends his vocal talent to “I Give All My Love To You” which is a beautiful song written wedding day song, co-written by Vincent, Herb Sandker, and Tensel Sandker, that was written for Vincent’s fan club president and webmaster. The only word comes to mind is beautiful, in lyricals, vocals, and instrumentation. Jesse McReynolds lends his mandolin expertise to the Jim & Jesse tune “Just One of a Kind,” and Keith Urban lends his vocals on the Irish traditional song “The Water is Wide.”

This indeed is a musical masterpiece for all fans of music, just another accolade of Vincent’s incredible talent that, in certain musical discussions may be overlooked. Vincent certainly has a “Good Thing Going” and I am assured that it will continue.

Overall Grade: A+

For more information on Rhonda Vincent, visit http://www.nemr.net/~rhondav/