CD Review: "It's About Time"
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Whistlin’ Rufus is not just a traditional fiddle and acoustic guitar band. Their new CD, “It’s About Time’ is a combination of infectious melodies, lively bluegrass, soulful ballads and fast and joyous Irish pub tunes. Rufus crafts their close harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melodies around each song to make them uniquely their own - the kind of songs that you find yourself listening to again and again and humming when you’re stuck in traffic.
This group of five talented, experienced musicians draws their creative strength from very diverse musical backgrounds and experiences. Pat Connell plays mandolin and guitar and is the lead singer, Ritchie Wernick sings harmony and plays guitar and harmonica, and classically trained cellist John Hubbard adds a sweet, rich balance on the cello and tasty flourishes with his banjo. The close-knit, talented group shares vocals, Natasha O’Neal plays fiddle as no one else can and Greg Paul adds the base.
Pat and Ritchie wrote and arranged 5 of the tracks on their new CD. These original compositions are straightforward, carefully knit tapestries of life, loves and losses, subtly infused here and there with catchy bits of traditional melodies that showcase the band’s unique and wonderful style. ‘Mid-life Orphans’ is Pat’s touching, thoughtful and fearless ballad about losing a generation of parents and finding himself and his generation orphaned by their loss. We’ve all visited a place of such beauty and mystery that its image is forever vivid in our mind’s eye. Pat Connell’s original folk ballad, ‘McCall”, celebrates and paints a vivid musical picture of such a place.
One of the most beautiful of these musical poems is a tribute that Pat co-wrote with Ritchie to honor Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty, the son of dear friends. Sean was killed in Iraq in 2007 and the song not only honors Sean for his heroism but because he was simply a great kid. In the song, Pat allows his mandolin to shed the tears of unbearable sadness for the loss of one so young and for every parent who loses a child to war. It is a powerful and haunting tribute to Sean and his parents Mo and Brian Fennerty.es a perfect balance between innovative blue grass Americana and the energy of traditional Irish music. The songs and music on their new CD and their live performances celebrate life and the celebration is contagious.
Mary Stewart, 3/31/09 CD Review
Northwest CD
It’s About Time
Artist : Whistlin’ Rufus
Label: WR Recording Company, Herbert House Studios, PDX, Or.
Web site : http://www.whistlinrufus.com
http://www.myspace.com/whistlinrufusmusic
Audience adrenaline popped when high energy Whistlin’ Rufus took the stage with Whistlin’ Rufus, a jazzy oldtime
tune. The five-piece band—guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and cello—yes, cello—whooped it up with jumping originals and covers and dashing instrumentals and vocals, including a Shady Grove that toyed with Neil Diamond and Rock Me, co-written by Bach on which the cellist also played banjo, though not simultaneously . .. reviewed by Burney Garelick. Florence WinterFolk Festival 2010
. Your band really packed a punch at the festival .... excellent preparation which resulted in a very dynamic performance. You were well-received by the crowd. Bill and I look forward to seeing/hearing your band again.” Sandy Blye, KBOO FM Radio
Whistling Rufus played at the East Fork Cellars variety show last week. If you haven't see this band yet, get out to a Whistling Rufus show soon. They are master entertainers. The Whistling Rufus performance demonstrated what it takes to be a great band! Excellent musicianship, great stage presences and a well crafted show.
Thanks to Tim Dawdy
