Bluegrass Now Review - May/June 1995 Issue

For every band that makes it big, playing the major festivals and being heard on bluegrass radio programs there are dozens more, laboring in obscurity, taking gigs whenever and wherever they can get them.  Most remain unknown except to the faithful who catch them at the local bars, schools, and special events.

Most bands will never record for a record label.  Some of these acts will release recordings themselves, usually on cassette--the cost of producing compact disc is prohibitive for many part-time bands.  Blue Daze, a popular band from the Baltimore area has decided to bear this expense and release a self-titled Compact Disc.  It was a good decision.  "Blue Daze" is a well-produced, well-played effort that should get the attention of radio programmers.

The Baltimore-Washington area is a hot-bed of local bluegrass talent--arguably as good as any area in the country.  Blue Daze is one of the most popular bands working in that area.  Band members are Chuck Van Meter on guitar, Lenny Whitehead on mandolin, Tim Kruzic on banjo and Mike Jenkins on bass.  All but Kruzic sing some of the lead vocals.

The album contains twelve songs including three originals.  This latter fact sets it apart from many other self-produced releases by local bands who either don't have quality original material, or are too apprehensive to put it on their first recording.  Chuck Van Meter's gospel number "Walking Through Glory" and mandolinist Lenny Whitehead's "I Want To Be There" and "The Homestretch" are all quality numbers deserving some radio time.

The other nine songs come from a range of sources and writers.  Among the best are Wayne Ashmore's "Brother John" and "There Comes a Time," Buster Finneyfrock's "White Steam," and Paul Westmoreland's "Detour" which incredibly made the top ten on Billboard Country charts for four different artists in 1946.

Chuck Van Meter's stylish runs on the guitar are among the album's best moments.  The other members' instrumental work is also consistently solid and occasionally inspired.  The band's vocals are not as impressive as their instrumental work although they are fine and they do sing some very nice harmonies.  The only misstep is a cover of Dave Loggins' "Please Come to Boston."  The song doesn't translate well to bluegrass or to the band's style, but it doesn't appreciably detract from the album's overall quality.

Blue Daze is a band that deserves to be seen and heard by bluegrass fans across the country.  Releasing their album on compact disc rather than cassette makes it possible for radio stations to include them on their playlists.  Hopefully they will and other fans will find out what those in the Baltimore-Washington area already know -- this is good music.

Review written by Doug Fulmer