Between the Hollow and the High-Rise–Reviews
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“Focused more than most bluegrass recordings on strong melodies, it attests eloquently to Kallick’s strengths as a vocalist, songwriter, and picker of others’ material. The covers are generally recognizable to those who’ve put in a lot of bluegrass listening, but they’re none of them exhausted and unwelcome. Besides, the band’s impeccably restrained picking and heart-catching harmonies are not there to be resisted. Kallick’s compositional skills are on glad display in six outstanding cuts, my personal favorite being ‘My House,’ a sort of secular treatment of the metaphor Stuart Hamblen employed in the gospel standard ‘This Old House.’ The overall effect is a sweet, California-flavored music that is neither too sweet nor too California.
— Jerome Clark, Rambles “Kathy Kallick is one of the best songwriters in bluegrass and acoustic music, always coming up with interesting, sometimes playful, always sure-handed songs [featuring] conversational yet evocative lyrics and solid bluegrass sensibilities. But this is primarily a band album, and the Kathy Kallick Band is a wonderful combination of youth and experience. It feels like they’re very comfortable playing together and with playing to the song. All are strong musicians and they create a distinctive band sound.” — Chris Stuart, Sing Out! Great stuff! A nice mix of Kathy Kallick songs, lesser-known bluegrass gems, and instrumentals/songs from her bandmates. Kallick is in fine voice throughout, more than ably assisted by her first-rate band. Special kudos to Greg Booth, whose reso playing is stellar, and Annie Staninec, who is brilliant on fiddle throughout. Six of the fourteen tracks are Kallick originals, and all are strong. Between the Hollow and the High Rise is a fabulous recording, one that will bring pleasure to anyone who enjoys good songs, and quality picking and singing. — John Lawless, The Bluegrass Blog (Aug., 2010) NOTE: Now = Bluegrass Today Between the Hollow and the High-Rise (the title reflects a recurring theme in Kallick’s originals) opens with “Where Is My Little Cabin Home,” the introspective and compelling lament of an uneasy urban dweller without an old homeplace to seek refuge and renewal. Kallick’s delightful hunor shines through on “My House” (… shame it ain’t perfect/but it’s home) and her politically-barbed update of “White House Blues.” Thrown in for good measure are spirited reprisals of Carter Stanley’s “Lonesome Night,” Josh Graves’ “Come Walk With Me,” and the gospel ode, “There’s A Higher Power.” Also featured are several fine instrumentals on which Kallick, Tom Bekeny, Dan Booth, Greg Booth, and Annie Staninec showcase their formidable instrumental prowess. — Bob Allen, Bluegrass Unlimited (Oct., 2010) A selection of material that should leave most any fan of traditional bluegrass yearning for more. The album features a great mix of well-written, heartfelt originals, arranged with some subtle twists and turns that are sure to please a mindful ear. The Kathy Kallick Band plays hard-drivin’ traditional bluegrass that harkens back to the dirt-floor rural up bringing of those who laid the music’s foundation long ago. And make no mistake they do a great job of it on Between The Hollow And The High-Rise. — Travis Tackett, Bluegrass Journal (June, 2010) Former Chicagoan Kathy Kallick has been a leading light in California bluegrass since the mid-’70s, mixing Bill Monroe’s traditional sounds with nicely administered dollops of folk, blues, and even jazz, as required. She yearns for her country place on “Where Is Little Cabin Home” while she and her band play around with the Louvin’s “There’s A Higher Power.” Her killer dobro player, Greg Booth, does quite a job adapting the old Bob Wills instrumental “Panhandle Rag,” but Kallick’s own “Whistle Stop Town” is the keeper. — John P. McLaughlin, Vancouver (BC) Province - 10/10/10 Oh, what a musical web they weave … Kathy Kallick has been a top-echelon bluegrass artist since the mid-1970s. Her talented band fashions hot instrumentation and tight harmonies. Between the Hollow and the High-Rise has terrific originals and stellar covers, and is highly entertaining. — Paul Freeman, San Jose Mercury News (April, 2010) Every song has unique characteristics and could exist as a single. This album is one of the best in active bluegrass, and the Kathy Kallick Band is better than ever before. West Coast Bluegrass, with all kinds of diversity, yet very consistent with the still-beautiful voice of Kathy Kallick. — Frederick Hog, www.country.de (June, 2010) |
Kathy’s current band continues the west coast tradition of meaningful songs with downhome musicality. Kathy has written several of the songs, and her perceptions and musings are filled with a delightful wistfulness and humor. Whether you live in a holler or a high-rise, you will not find a more balanced and exciting band than this one!
— Brenda Hough, Bluegrass Breakdown (June, 2010) Kathy Kallick never disappoints. Her voice conveys such warmth that it fair melts even the most stridently traditional bluegrass purist. For more years than many of us have been listening to the music, Kallick has not only been blazing a trail for females wanting to sing harmony-rich bluegrass but has been leading some of the strongest outfits the west coast has experienced. Kathy Kallick and her current band play bluegrass with a distinctive and fresh flavour. There is a bit of blues in a couple places, a touch of swing in others, and a smidgeon of folk mixed throughout. Put some drive behind all that, and you’ve got a winning bluegrass album. — Donald Teplyske, That High Lonesome Sound (Autumn, 2010) |