Reviews for Blue Highway's New Album, Through the Window of a Train

Among the most influential bands on today's acoustic music scene, Blue Highway continues to uncover new routes and destinations in its ongoing exploration of the frontiers of bluegrass. Through the Window of a Train, their eighth album, features a stunning batch of brand new original songs brought to life via masterful arrangements, precise picking, and the soulful lead and harmony vocals of the band's three distinctive lead singers. Each a respected artist in his own right, the five members of Blue Highway combine their individual virtuosity with unparalleled musicianship and group empathy to create bluegrass that is sophisticated yet earthy, intimate yet universal. Each note they play resonates with heart, soul, commitment, and friendship - resulting in a sound bringing together the very best of bluegrass's past, present, and future. – Amazon.com 

--

Classic Blue Highway. After 10 years, they have earned the accolade. 

Three lead singers - all talented enough to front a national level band. The rich harmony work is of the Blue Highway signature stack. Wayne Taylor sings with the emotion of man who escaped the coal mines and ain't planning on going back. Tim Stafford continues to craft songs with depth. Some of the best work of Alison Krauss was from his catalogue. 

The instrumentation is perfect. From the get go, Jason Burleson opens with the unique style that defines Blue Highway banjo. Rob Ickes continues his Dobro mastery. Shawn Lane exemplifies modern mandolin, yet nods to Monroe legacy with powerful down-strokes on "V Bottom Boat." 

They speak to social consciousness too, with songs of forgotten homeless veterans, fallen heroes, and heartbroken families. 

The CD is a fine example of how far down the bluegrass highway a democratic band can travel. After all these years, they must have some artistic differences of opinion, but when they speak music, it is with a unified voice. Blue Highway personifies modern acoustic music with respect for tradition. Highly recommended, highly respected.- Country Standard Time, Dr. Bobby Jones 

--
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. – Bluegrass Journal, Travis Tackett

--