Blue Highway “Through the Window of a Train” (Rounder)

Blue Highway is no stranger to the bluegrass scene. Having released 7 previous albums throughout the group’s lengthy and celebrated career, “Through the Window of a Train” marks the band’s fourth on the Rounder label.

The cover art for the album, predominantly white, with a black and white image across the center third, is in stark contrast to the contents. ” ‘Window of a Train” is a veritable rainbow of musical colors and canvasses. From the dark and sad subject matter of “Homeless Man,” the fiery delivery on the instrumental “The North Cove” to the reflective “Life of a Travelin’ Man,” a telling narrative of the blur of life on the road, Blue Highway paints a masterpiece on “Through the Window of a Train.”

Blue Highway recorded the project at Maggard Sound in Big Stoney Gap, Va., far away from the “music factory mind-set” of big city studio confines, in an effort to gain an “off the cuff” and spontaneous approach that shines through on the final product. While this approach isn’t for the faint of heart, a less seasoned outfit could easily burn through a recording budget or two unsuccessfully trying to capture the essence Blue Highway captures on “Through the Window of a Train.” After a listen or two, it’s no wonder Blue Highway’s members are such in-demand session players.

The CD features 12 cuts that members of the celebrated group wrote or co-wrote. The songwriting on ” ‘Window of a Train” is the foundation and strength of the project. Yeah, the musicianship the group displays is tops, but it’s songs of this caliber that will mark Blue Highway as one of the great Bluegrass groups in the annals of bluegrass history.

A warning is in order: If you get a copy of this great CD, make sure and break the news easy to the rest of CDs in your collection. They won’t be seeing the light of a laser for a while.

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Blue Highway

Nashville, Tenn. - One of the most influential groups in contemporary bluegrass, Blue Highway fuses tradition with progress to create their own unique and timeless style. The band’s forthcoming February 12, 2008 Rounder Records release, “Through The Window Of A Train” will be celebrated at a January 24th CD release party at the world famous Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. The Show starts at 9:00 p.m. and admission is $15.00 each.

The band’s eighth album, “Through The Window Of A Train” was self-produced by the band and recorded at Maggard Sound Studios in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and features 12 songs, all written or co-written by Blue Highway’s five accomplished songwriters - composers whose songs have been recorded by bluegrass staples Ronnie Bowman, Mountain Heart, the aforementioned Skaggs, and others. The recording showcases Blue Highway at their songwriting, instrumental, and vocal peak.

Complete Track Listing:

1. Life of a Travelin’ Man
2. Through the Window of A Train
3. Sycamore Hollow
4. Homeless Man
5. Where Did the Morning Go?
6. Two Soldiers
7. The North Cove
8. A Week from Today
9. My Ropin’ Days are Done
10. Blues on Blues
11. V-Bottom Boat
12. Just Another Gravel in the Road

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Blue Highway

Blue Highway will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Kingsport, Tenn. Renaissance Center.In addition, members of the band will conduct a singer/songwriter workshop beginning at 2 p.m. that day. Workshop size is limited and registration is $20 per person. This performance and workshop by Blue Highway is supported by the Tennessee Arts Commission’ Touring Artist Grant Program.

Tickets for the performance are $18 regular admission and $15 student/senior admission and may be purchased by calling the Renaissance Center Central Box Office 423-392-8417.

Blue Highway is generally regarded as one of the most influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. Members are Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals) and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals)

Taylor, Stafford and Lane write many of the band’s tunes and have several songs recorded by others in bluegrass and country music.

The Renaissance Center is a facility for arts and senior citizen’s activities, and is also used for business meetings, parties, receptions, classes and seminars. It includes a 350-seat theater.

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