Though firmly rooted in bluegrass, the Stevens Sisters--Beth and April--don't get bogged down by tradition on their second Rounder effort. Sure, they can harmonize like a female version of the Louvin Brothers, but their ma... more »terial is wonderfully varied, from the Judds-like "Walk On By" to the jazzy "Love Every Time." (And they do wonders with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone.") Even their more traditional numbers, like Dolly Parton's lovely ballad "I'll Never Say Goodbye" (which features Dolly herself on harmony vocals), have a certain freshness that keeps them from being museum pieces. Backed by an all-star band that includes Sam Bush on mandolin and fiddle, Dobro players Rob Ickes and Al Perkins, bassist Byron House, and drummer Larry Atamanuik, the Tennessee-born sisters play the kind of tasteful acoustic country music that was once heard on mainstream radio stations. Those days appear to be over, and acts like the Stevens Sisters are only likely to be heard at bluegrass festivals and on the Grand Ole Opry. Nothing wrong with that, but music this good deserves a wider audience. --David Hill« less
Though firmly rooted in bluegrass, the Stevens Sisters--Beth and April--don't get bogged down by tradition on their second Rounder effort. Sure, they can harmonize like a female version of the Louvin Brothers, but their material is wonderfully varied, from the Judds-like "Walk On By" to the jazzy "Love Every Time." (And they do wonders with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone.") Even their more traditional numbers, like Dolly Parton's lovely ballad "I'll Never Say Goodbye" (which features Dolly herself on harmony vocals), have a certain freshness that keeps them from being museum pieces. Backed by an all-star band that includes Sam Bush on mandolin and fiddle, Dobro players Rob Ickes and Al Perkins, bassist Byron House, and drummer Larry Atamanuik, the Tennessee-born sisters play the kind of tasteful acoustic country music that was once heard on mainstream radio stations. Those days appear to be over, and acts like the Stevens Sisters are only likely to be heard at bluegrass festivals and on the Grand Ole Opry. Nothing wrong with that, but music this good deserves a wider audience. --David Hill
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's hard to imagine tighter harmonies, except possibly the Everly Brothers. April and Beth deliver a set of great tunes. (April is of course not the April Stevens who did "Deep Purple" with Nino Tempo in the 60s!) The whole project was carefully put together from the song selection to the musicians to the arrangements. The CD opens with the title track, a midtempo toe tapper. The melody kind of slinks on "Walk On By," "Baby, I won't cry." "Tuesday's Gone" is a pretty ballad with Sam Bush's fiddle, "My baby's gone with the wind." Mike Henderson's toe tapper "Wherever You Are" has a classic sound; Sam Bush goes crazy on mandolin during the bridge. You won't find more magnificent harmonies than those on the pretty melody of "Lonesome Wind." "Yours In Tennessee" has a soft melody, "If you want a love that's ture & tender, remember your girl in Tennessee." "Run to the Well" is a great Kim Richey tune about putting a fire out, "I do believe the Lord helps those who help themselves." Tony Arata's song "Love Every Time" is beautiful with Gary Davis' bluesy guitar and Gary Smith tinkling the piano ivory. "I'll Never Say Goodbye" is a slow Dolly tune with Parton's gorgeous supporting vocals. My favorite track is another Kim Richey song with Sam Bush's mandolin percolating on "Those Words We Said," "I could drive a million miles & never drive them from my head." "If I'm Gonna Be Lonely" is a gorgeous melody that you could almost hear Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris joining in spirit. Mike Henderson's slide guitar stars on the Barry & Holly Tashian tune "Don't Kneel At My Graveside." This is one of the most pleasant sets you'll hear in bluegrass/country music. The sisters have put together a memorable set! Enjoy!"
If Alison Krauss & Reba McEntire had a love child.....
Squidgey Flint | Seattle, WA | 04/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
".... it would be the Stevens Sisters.This is my first exposure to the Sisters and I am way impressed. The harmonies are as tight as they can get and their voices are excellent. One is smooth the other a little gravelly and togethor they provide that quintessential mountain music sound.While I would always rather my singers write their own songs this is frequently not the case. Regardless of who pens the words, the writing on this offering is superb.Example: "Those words we said":
"I left here with nothing but a few tears in my eyes.
Now I'm halfway down the interstate past highway 99.
It's just me and one good wiper blade, up against the rain..."
or
"No matter how hard I try I can't get far enough away.
Every sad song on my radio sounds like its custom made,
by some devil on my shoulder that keeps whisperin' in my ear..."(I love this song -- my favorite on the disc.)As for the music, the Stevens Sisters play quite a few different instruments: guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobrobanjo (I don't even know what a dobrobanjo is) and they do a fine fine job of it.I am definitely going to explore prior releases from these folks."
Truely great
Sean | Quebec ,Canada | 01/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Stevens Sisters cd Little by little is truely great. I had a hard time to track down their cd. Amazon.ca is the only Canadian dealer that could help me. I play this cd almost every day. Can't wait until their next release. Their music is more of a country bluegrass bringing it to a whole new level. Great job girls."
'Little by Little' Adds Up to a Lot
mork | 12/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If there was perfect justice in the world, the Steven Sisters' brilliant "Little by Little" (and their equally terrific 1996 album, "Sisters") would garner all the raves in country music and the airbrushed fakes who plague us would be scrambling for record contracts and airplay. With an ear for great tunes, a genius for lush and supple harmonies and the good sense to avoid musical cliches and the dreaded pigeon-holing effect, April and Beth Stevens stand head and shoulders above the nonsense that seeps out of mainstream Nashville these days. From the kicky title track to their gentle and moving cover of Lynard Skynard's "Tuesday's Gone" to the harrowing "Don't Kneel at My Graveside" and everything in between, this is where "country" music truly lives."
Stunning
mork | 10/31/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Stevens sisters' shimmering harmonies are a crystal-clear Godsend to Music Row's Faiths and Shanias. This is East Tennessee bluegrass in it's purest, modern form, with lightning-fast picking, soft-as-rain brush percussion, from-the-heart harmonies which raise your hair as only siblings can do, and writing which includes jaw-dropping ballads alongside toe-tapping uptempo rockabilly-sounding gems. Don't miss this train."