Ragged Union’s hard-driving bluegrass, with a tinge of the
traditional and a healthy dose of the blues is infectious and mesmerising. And
since their inception a couple of years ago are becoming a firm favourite with
music lovers up and down the land!
“This is your grandfather’s
bluegrass music but NOT his lyrics or subject matter. These tunes are
‘traditional’ in their approach and in RU’s presentation, but the subject matter
of the lyrics is wholly modern; that is, they deal with modern angst, problems,
even fixations in both a literal and metaphorical way. And this is the crux:
that’s entirely different than how bluegrass music has been ‘updated’ to date.
It is beyond appropriate; it is fresh and innovative while preserving through
their instruments the things one likes about bluegrass music.”
Some pretty powerful words for a band who is just now releasing their
first album. The music coming from this six-piece Colorado based ensemble, lead
by husband and wife Geoff and Christina Union, is memorable and provides a
platform for players performing original tunes and off-the-beaten path
standards, winning fans in the process.
There is an intimacy and tightness surrounding the vocals, with
award-winning instrumental work, a powerful rhythmic drive, and up tempo
arrangements giving way to the edgy, outsider songwriting that has become an
earmark of their style.
'Hard Row to Hoe' was
recorded in the fall/winter months of 2014 in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Former
Rebecca Frazier/Hit and Run banjoist, and current player for Finnders and
Youngberg, Aaron Youngberg, engineered and mixed the project consisting of
thirteen tunes, eleven singers, two instrumentals, ten originals and three
covers.
Band members Christina Union (lead and tenor vocals), Jordan Ramsey
(mandolin, vocal), Chris C-Bob Elliot (Banjo), Justin Hoffenberg (fiddle), and
Michael Sivcovich (upright bass), have created a sound that is masterful in the
hands of seasoned musicians and with an appeal that is infectious.
BOOKING
NOW FOR A SHORT UK & IRELAND TOUR 7 - 23 OCTOBER 2016
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