Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine Review
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Phoenix - Tailor Made
BY GRACIE MULDOON

Phoenix. Their name reminds me of big, undying, powerful things, like Bluegrass. The bluegrass group Phoenix is powerfully good solid and traditional bluegrass. Their new project Tailor Made reflect that 'bigness' of traditional bluegrass sound. The Title track Tailor Made - is a great story song and is #2 on the list - but the list also reflects a variety of great tunes- that are "Tailor Made" for your enjoyment.

The band consists of David Coffey, Randy Driskill, Eddie King, and Jim Green - they just 'gel' together like warm tapioca pudding. Sweet and traditional bluegrass rises from their instruments and well honed vocal skills. My picks off this CD are Soldier of Freedom (God bless the Troops) and Tailor Made, Blue Diamond, and a ballad, Toby's Hollar. These fellas just make you plain 'ole happy that traditional bluegrass music is alive and well and "stayin' the course", putting to rest, the fears of many. Phoenix rises above many in the field - and leaves them behind, burnin' in the ashes.

A CONCERT REVIEW
Phoenix in Virginia
by Bob Thompson

03/11/07

If you were in Herndon, Virginia last night at the Weekend Bluegrass Concert Series you experienced one of the best musical evenings you are ever likely to attend. No lie. PHOENIX was "spot on" as our British brethren would say --- CHAMPION!

In all seroiusness folks, if you've not seen PHOENIX in live performance you are missing out on one truly great band. Their vocal blend is absolutely superb and backed up by their equally superb skills with wood and strings. Not only that but they truly enjoy their music and their audience. An unbeatable combination.

PHOENIX has David Coffey on guitar/dobro/piano, Randy Driskill on banjo/guitar, Jim Green on upright bass and Eddie King on mandolin. Their music is some of the "smoothest" bluegrass around and leaves you always wanting to hear more.

Case in point --- after both sets and an encore were over, folks were starting to leave ---- however ---- Dave Coffey sits himself down on the piano bench to play a bluegrass gospel song that a patron had requested earlier.

What a beautiful sound came from that piano!! If that weren't enough, Dave starts to sing and before very long, the rest of the band stops packing up gear and joins Dave around the piano for four part harmony. The folks who had started to head out, heard this grand music, turned around and came back into the Sanctuary to see the boys in gospel quartet mode.

How's that for an extra bonus. Only in bluegrass folks. Many thanks to Dave, Randy, Jim and Eddie for a memorable evening and to our patrons for their continuing support. See PHOENIX whenever you can troops, they are the "real deal."

Bob

Bob Thompson
Concert Coordinator
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
1090 Sterling Road
Herndon, Virginia 20170

Website: www.holycrosslutheranchurch.net