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The Dirt Roads CD contains six of fourteen
tracks with mountain dulcimer playing a prominent role.
I have no experience with dulcimers playing much other than
folk or Celtic music, so I found it refreshing and fun to
hear this instrument carrying the strumming rhythm in these
songs, as well as contributing to the melody.
While this album is a rock CD, it is instrumental,
so no worries about inappropriate lyrics. This album is
definitely NOT the noise so frequently passed off
as music these days. Michael and Andy Futreal obviously
work at their craft and experiment with blending a variety
of instruments and rhythmic qualities.
True to the rock genre, this is not acoustic
music. Michael and Andy employ electric, slide and acoustic
guitar, banjo, bass, harmonica, and mandolin in addition
to the mountain dulcimer. The result is fourteen songs that
are far from rehashes of one another. In fact, they sound
as if each represent a bright, original idea originating
in Michael or Andy's talented head.
I applaud the Offramps' innovation, not just
for putting a mountain dulcimer in the band, but for writing
and performing innovative music. They call it "rock
music with bluesy world fusion flair" which is a fair
description. With the combination of instruments these artists
play they have at their disposal infinite combinations of
sounds, so I look forward to the next album! Bravo
Offramps!
The tracks that contain mountain dulcimer
are:
2. Vacancy
5. Olive Woman
7. Driving to New York (This one had
my three-year-old dancing!)
8. Primal Man Therapy
9. Spice Road
14. A Porch at Midnight
For more information about The Offramps or
to obtain the CD, go to http://michael.futreal.com,
at only $12 a copy it's an inexpensive way to diversify
your collection!
****Late breaking news. Download this CD for FREE. Click here!
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