COUNTY SALES
February 2009
Issue Review
Competent, solid & straight Bluegrass produced by Michael Cleveland, (who also plays the fiddle parts on this 14-song album). A good selection of songs includes; WHO WILL SING FOR ME, JUST LIKE YOU, COLD SHEETS OF RAIN, LONG BLACK VEIL, MARY ANN, 40 YEARS, etc.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC PROFILES
November/December 2008
Issue Review
COMMON GROUND – “ONE FOR THE ROAD”
This is the very first release by Common Ground based out of Southern Indiana. They have been together only three years and in that time they have gelled into one fantastic bluegrass band. Their lead and harmony vocals are tight and strong, instrumentation is very solid, with Dave Leonard’s banjo coming through clear as a bell.
This project was recorded at Michael Cleveland’s studio and engineered by Steve Coolley. Michael plays fiddle on several of the cuts. The other fine artists on this project are Dennis Schubnell on mandolin, Ronnie Deaton on guitar, and Jack Bustle on the dog house bass.
This project features 14 songs and my favorite is the original tune, “One For The Road” penned by Schubnell. Other tracks include, “Tearing Pine Mountain Down”, “California Cotton Fields”, “Listening To The Rain”, “Silas Cain”, “Leaves That Are Green”, “40 Years”, “Just Like You”, “Mary Ann”.
CH (Charlie Hall)
BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED
November 2008
Issue Review
COMMON GROUND – “ONE FOR THE ROAD”
Common Ground, from southeastern Indiana, consists of Dennis Schubnell (mandolin and vocals), Dave Leonard (banjo, guitar, and vocals), Ronnie Deaton (guitar and vocals), and Jack Bustle (bass and vocals).
"One For The Road" is a 14-song collection of mainstream bluegrass that blends traditional tunes with a touch of originality. Of special note is the presence of guest musician Michael Cleveland (fiddle and blues guitar on "Silas Cain") who also performs double duty as the project's producer. Assisting with the engineering duties is Steve Cooley, a highly-respected musician throughout northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. The proceedings are off to a rousing start with "Tearing Pine Mountain Down," which concerns the ecological consequences of strip mining. Other familiar numbers include "Cold Sheets Of Rain," "California Cotton Fields," and Pete Wernick's "Just Like You" (about the tribulations of growing old). Two particular highlights are Dennis Schubnell's compositions, "One For The Road" and the eerily haunting story of "Silas Cain."
Common Ground has created a marvelous collection of bluegrass music certain to open many new doors for the remarkable bluegrass quartet.
LM (Les McIntyre)
