Larry Robinson/ Bluegrass Now: On picking Stobro's Blues as one of his top 5 CD's of the year: "Ferrell Stowe is a wonderful musician who can be heard on the latest recordings of Cedar Hill and Williams and Clark Expedition. Stowe doesn't copy anybody else's styles on the resonator guitar. He is his own man! I liked the title cut of this CD so much that I adopted it as the theme for my radio show. Good slidin' "!
Larry Mullin/ Bluegrass Now: " Stobro's Blues is excellent from start to finish. The distinct sound of each song leads you to think you're listening to a radio program rather than a single CD. The diversity of the recording is due in part to the assistance provided by eighteen guest artists, but it is Stowe's impeccable playing that provides cohesion for the project. The song selection, innovative arrangements, and captivating performances combine to make this a stellar recording".
"Of the three vocals on the recording, " Next Door In Heaven" features the powerful voice of Toni Otts in an amazing bluesy performance and Randy Kohrs provides captivating vocals on Kitty well's 1956 hit, " Making Believe." Five of the seven instrumentals are ensembles , featuring some of the best talent in Bluegrass. "Mary Did You Know" and "Precious Memories" are personal favorites, but all are excellent. "I Must Tell Jesus" features the resophonic guitar in the hands of a true master and Stowe provides a wonderful version of "Jewels", performed on an Oahu ( a 1920's pre-resonator Hawaiian guitar). Both tunes are breathtakingly beautiful".
" Stobro's Blues an important recording for students of the resophonic guitar as Ferrell Stowe is an innovative stylist and for the rest of us, it is great music performed by a great collection of talented musicians. Don't miss this one".
Bill Wagoner/Bluegrass Unlimited:"Handled by an expert, it (the resonator guitar) can sing almost on par with the human voice. Ferrell Stowe is such an expert."
" Few players, if any, draw more tone from a resonator guitar."
"What cements his master status with me, however, are his two solo pieces. On 'I Must Tell Jesus", his open tuning allows some lovely, harmonium-like drone passages, and he breaks the melody into rippling , hypnotic figures. "Jewels", with Stowe back on Oahu guitar, is equally entrancing and a wonderful ending to an engaging album".
Derek Halsey- Gritz Magazine-- On picking Stobro' Blues to be # 17 on his top twenty picks of the best of 2005. “Stobro's Blues is a combination of bluegrass with blues inflections".
" Another reason why this is a cool CD is that it is self-produced, free from the constraints and meddling of a large record company. Now, as we all know, these days everybody and their brother are putting CD’s out on their own. But this one rises above all of that and is very good".
"The first sounds you hear on the record is Ferrell cranking up a solo blues lick before the mandolin joins him to begin the title cut, an original Stowe instrumental. In fact, seven out of the ten cuts on here are instrumentals including the beautiful “Mary, Did You Know,” the swinging “Carroll County Blues,” and a couple of classic takes on “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Precious Memories.” There are three vocal cuts on here with Randy Kohrs singing “Making Believe,” Lowell Appling and Kevin Schults singing “Two Coats,” and Toni Otts singing another Stowe original, “Next Door In Heaven.” A couple of real treats on the album are two solo performances by Ferrell; “I Must Tell Jesus,” performed on Dobro, and “Jewels,” performed on his antique Oahu guitar."
Joe Ross/ Staff Writer for Bluegrass Now:"In his liner notes, Randy Kohrs acknowledges that Stowe was a mentor from the first time he heard him, and Kohrs was "consumed with his brilliance and uniqueness.” Originally from Lebanon, Missouri, Stobro now makes his home in Nashville. He’s performed with many great bluegrass acts, done a great deal of session work, has five albums out, and is a multiple award winner from SPBGMA. One of Ferrell Stowe’s five albums is called “Homage” and is a tribute to Uncle Josh Graves, one of his own mentors. Graves was in the audience at the Station Inn in Nashville on 12/6/05 when this CD was released".
" Stowe’s poignant playing will no doubt inspire another generation of resonator guitarists. His bluesy and expressive techniques are definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t already done so".
"It can also be a bit tricky to properly mix and equalize the sound of the resophonic guitar. Stobro’s album does a commendable job of capturing the highs and lows of the instrument to give it a full-bodied richness, intensity and flavor."
Les McIntyre -Bluegrass Unlimited - "Ferrell Stowe is a prolific master of the resonator guitar with several recording projects to his credit."
Tom Uhr - singer/songwriter - Shady Grove Ramblers - "."His timing is so good you could set a Rolex by it. He uses the dobro as an outlet to express his inner feelings to others
Gary Gordon - www.iBluegrass.com - "When he (Ferrell) stepped up to the mike for solos, there was an indelible mark of a professional. Ferrell is the master of soulful dobro."
Larry Robinson / Bluegrass Now Magazine: "There is something for everyone on Homage. One of the best resophonic recordings that I have heard in a long time. Highly recommended!"
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