Music
Press
"Avant old-time? Post-modern folk? This is one of those unclassifiable discs, maybe a second cousin to bluegrass, but lyrically and instrumentally a reach for all but the most progressive fans. Allison Longstreth and Zoë Kaplan have strong lead voices and weave some impressive harmonies. Though they try jazz-inflected melodies and rhythms, they also cover the prettier traditional modes.
Hot guitar licks and mandolin riffs make the instrumental sound edgy, while Ellie Holzemer's fine fiddling "holds it in the road," as Mr. Monroe used to say. No matter how far out the music gets, her touch is enjoyable throughout. Her instrumental "Ragtime Annie/Arkansas" would appeal even to traditionalists, and her bluesy take on "Hands On The Wheel" (a song from Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger") is particularly affecting.
Eight of the eleven tunes are originals, and many of them stretch standard mountain or romantic themes in either imaginative or odd ways, depending on your taste for novelty. Every element of the record---lyrics, arrangements, picking, singing---pushes the envelope, yet the overall effect is refreshing rather than bizarre, a reminder that there are lots of interesting places left to explore in the music." - Reprinted by permission from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, 1-800-BLU-GRAS. Copyright May 2004. All r
Like proud parents, tickled to see their favored child grow into a
big fish in a smallish pond, Portland, Oregon smiles upon one if its
favorite and most beloved bluegrass babies, Cross-eyed Rosie. With a
light and accessible modern touch, tipping their hat to folkgrass and
alt country while still holding true to the heart and soul of old
school bluegrass, this playful and light-hearted quintet brings a
distinctively one-on-one, personal touch to their genre of music,
earning them a special corner in the Rose City bluegrass scene. They
set their sound apart by having developed the quintessential Stumptown
style and attitude; just like this city, bustling with 550,000+ people
while still managing to feel and operate like a small town, this
ensemble conveys enormous spirit through their music, doing it all
with an intimate and pub-down-the-street conception. From Jon’s
rock-solid guitar foundation to Lincoln’s bright mandolin and lead
vocals, this group performs and delivers their music not just as
artistic colleagues but as a circle of friends in a larger, connected
community. Three cheers for Portland’s Cross-eyed Rosie! - CD Baby
Discography
Adjusted, Uncle Ostrom records - UOR-2
Lookin' Up, Uncle Ostrom Records - UOR-1
Streaming available at cdbaby.com or crosseyedrosie.com
Photos
Bio
Cross-eyed Rosie creates acoustic music that acknowledges their bluegrass roots while incorporating pop, jazz and funk in this inventive and emotionally stirring music. Often dubbed blues-grass, the masterful and beautiful music created by this quintet comes from the heart.
Rosie, composed of five talented, high-energy individuals captivates audiences across the west while pushing the boundaries of Americana and folk music. The bands rise to the top of the acoustic circuit is not surprising after hearing their brand new and uniquely original album, Adjusted. The album comes across with a live feel from tunes that have been road tested to audiences and penned by all five members of the band.
After four years of touring clubs, theaters and festivals, Rosie has come into its own through wonderful writing, masterful musicianship and driving energy that has audiences coming back for more.
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