Album Description: Embodying the culmination of two decades of collaboration between founding members Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear, Donna The Buffalo’s 2008 album builds on the band’s signature sound - a bedrock of traditional mountain music infused with elements of Cajun, rock, folk, reggae and country. The album also includes the talents of such well-known guests as Béla Fleck, Claire Lynch, David Hidalgo and Amy Helm. 13 tracks.
Magical, heartfelt, perhaps their best album to date It seems very rare over the past few decades that any group actually is able to follow-up a great album with another great one, but DTB has pulled it off. Not to mention that they are making music in a niche that they more or less created.
I've listened to the album a few times already and I'm still not sure I'm ready to say that it's better than the last album, Life's a Ride, but I have a feeling I will eventually rank this album higher. This album is produced almost to perfection - there are a few background vocals I could do without but no major complaints there. With 13 songs on the album I can honestly say there is not a bad song on the album (Jeb pushes the limits with his songwriting, and even with his singing on "Blue Eyes" but it's enjoyable when you listen to the album as a whole). Tara's voice is perfect, beautiful as always, produced well, and her songs are as lyrically brilliant as ever. The special guests are great and add just more flavor to the album.
The bottom line is that DTB is making music that has a feel , an energy and a creativity that is lacking in most of the music that comes out these days. I am grateful that these two superb songwriters crossed paths and continue to crank out great music.
Goodbye Individuality, Hello "We Sound like Everybody Else" On the second listening I was already skipping through the CD. Donna the Buffalo's wonderful personality and uniqueness are only quietly present beneath the surface. The overall sound is homogenized and bland. A sad day for me.
They Did It Again! Tara and Jeb have done it again! The music is Danceable Americana and the lyrics are uniquely true. They've teamed up with guest musicians to add new sounds to songs we've heard at shows for a few years. When's the last time we heard horns with DTB? Jeb's brought back the pedal steel and Bela Fleck brings his banjo into the mix. Tara sings about the struggles of love and Jeb sings about the joys and limitations of life.
There's an unguarded maturity here that brings a smile and a nod of understanding as you dance. Some of the topics, (war, selfishness), cause reflection but DTB works hard to find the Silverlining in these times. "How good it could be to make a world called home"
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
