Search - Big Wooden Radio :: Visiting Normal Town

Crisp - Clean - Great sound - Great Band

Richard Cowand | Phoenix, AZ United States | 04/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Big Wooden Radio's third studio release, and each release is great. Visiting Normaltown is a CD that has great vocals, performed by talented musicians that provide a unique up-beat sound. It is too bad that these guys are regular working stiffs like everyone else and don't tour. I was fortunate to catch these guys live in Iowa (several years ago), and watch them entertain a very appreciative crowd then load up their wives & kids & equipment into mini vans and head home. These guys don't make this music to earn a living or get famous - they make great music for the love of it."

Tight Harmony, strong vocals, simply amazing!

Richard Cowand | 01/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Strong vocal performances and tight ensemble arrangements are the focal point of this Iowa based quartet consisting of mandolin (Joe Peterson) electric bass, acoustic guitar and harmonica. It isn't a bluegrass band at all: I would categorize it as acoustic rock although the blue grassers would probably say that there's a big new bluegrass revival influence at work... I would say that this band has been influenced by Steven Stills, Dan Fogelburg, Jothan Edwards, Doobie Brothers and Michael Murphy...Joe Peterson's mandolin provides interlocking rhythmic counterpoint... the rhythm guitar is solid, percussive with a rock/ R and B flavor... but the focus is on vocals and the backing vocal arrangements."