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Non-Prog CD Reviews

The Rightly So

Vandura

Review by Gary Hill

This act is a modern one based out of New York state. Listening to them, you might think they came out of an earlier era and more Southern location. The sounds here are based in country, folk and more. This is a duo made up of Jess Chizuk and Greg Zeis. They have produced an intriguing, diverse and entertaining set of music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2019  Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2019.

Track by Track Review
Black and Blue
Male lead vocals enter at the start of this number, but it becomes a duet when the second verse hits. The tune has quite a traditional folk vibe the arrangement. Steel guitar is a nice touch, and this has some great melodies and tones to it.
You Can Bet On Me

Much more of a rocker, there is a bit of a mainstream vibe to this. It still has plenty of country and folk rock in the mix, though. This is a female vocal based cut. It's also a bit bluesy and is packed full of style. The vocals are inspired and evocative, and I like the lyrics a lot.

Honest Kind of Peace

Built mostly on female vocals and piano, this is a potent ballad. It's quite a pretty cut that works very well.

Ball and Chain

The keyboards on the arrangement here bring a different sound. Female lead vocals are in the driver's seat. This has a cool slow moving, bluesy kind of roots rock arrangement. There are some hints of country in the mix, and this number works really well. It gets into more rocking zones as it continues. I love the guitar solo on this thing.

All These Things

I dig the acoustic guitar arrangement that starts this. As the vocals join, I'm reminded of Arlo Guthrie. This has a lot of folk music in the mix along with some definite bluegrass, particularly when the more active movement joins.

Dying Day

Another focusing on female lead vocals, this is a balladic number that's pretty and quite tasty.

Devil's Work

A country rocking tune, this one features female lead vocals. It's a powerhouse cut that works really well. The guitar soloing brings some twang and style.

Nothing But The Weather

Another balladic cut, this features female vocals and is quite a tasty number.

Good Luck and Godspeed

This mellow folk tune sounds a bit like a cross between John Denver and Arlo Guthrie. The pedal steel guitar is a nice touch. The song really feels like it would have been at home in the early 1970s. This one features male lead vocals. It's also one of the highlights of the set. It's so classy.

The Lucky Ones

Strummed acoustic guitar starts this in style. The cut works outward from there. Some electric guitar augments the mix. This is a rocking number with plenty of country and folk rock in the mix. The female vocals are the order of business here.

Not Coming Home

While this is a bit more of a duet, the male vocals are the lead ones. It's an energetic folk rocking piece. It's also quite classy.

 
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