Independent Review by Joe Ross

World of Dreams

Playing Time - 39:37
Songs - World of Dreams, Don't Step Over an Old Love, Going Back to Stay, Plans and Dreams, Billy the Kid Saloon, Don't Laugh, Dazed, Carolina Star, What a Hurt What a Heartache, Cold Walls of Stone, I Don't Think About You, I Never Get to Hold You In My Arms Anymore, Going Up

World of Dreams' 13 tracks include four new songs written by Wayne Ashemore, two songs from the pen of Jim Livesay, and one from Buster Finneyfrock. Songs like "What a Hurt, What a Heartache" are welcome additions to the bluegrass repertoire. A solid band based in central Maryland, Blue Daze also covers material from Rebe Gosdin, Hugh Moffatt, Carlton Haney, and Vern & Rex Gosdin. Originally formed in 1990, about a decade has now passed since the 1994 album release from this group that was nominated by the Washington Area Music Association for a WAMMIE Award for Bluegrass Band of the Year.

Blue Daze is Chuck Van Meter (guitar), Mike Jenkins (bass), Mike Hartnett (fiddle), Tim Kruzic (banjo), and Lenny Whitehead (mandolin). Jenkins, Hartnett and Whitehead are longtime bluegrass buds who have a history that stretches back to the 70s when they played together in a band called Overland Express. Hartnett only recently joined Blue Daze, becoming their fiddler in 2001. Lead vocals are shared by Van Meter (8 songs), Whitehead (3 songs), and Jenkins (1 song). Van Meter sings with relaxed, laid-back technique, and my favorites include the album's title cut and "Cold Walls of Stone." Interestingly, both have choruses that are sung in lean fashion as duets. The album's closer, "Going Up" is one that just seems to be presented and sung with added conviction. Of special deserving note is a western swingy "Billy the Kid Saloon," and I hope that future projects feature some more of Jenkins' heartfelt lead singing. He is typically relegated to a subordinate, yet still very important, baritone part in the band's vocal trios. Whitehead's instrumental "Dazed" is another highlight with its new acoustic sensibilities. Van Meter also provides some exceptional flatpick guitar work throughout the project.

This self-released album is an excellent introduction to the music of Blue Daze, a fine band with a downhome bluegrass quality and a lot of pizzazz. I suspect that Blue Daze has a strong fanbase and following in their region, and airplay off "World of Dreams" should help land them plenty more festival and concert appearances.

Joe Ross is a staff writer for Bluegrass Now magazine and also reviews CDs for various Internet sites.  He can be reached via his website at http://www.talentondisplay.com/joerosshome.html