One Step Ahead - Vincent, Rhonda (CD 2003)

Over the past few years, I've really gotten into bluegrass music. Maybe it's because of my Virginia upbringing, but there's something about that bluegrass sound that always draws me in. I discovered Rhonda Vincent a couple of years ago and ever since then, I've been collecting her albums and enjoying her excellent musicianship and presence. On a recent music shopping spree, I picked up Vincent's 2003 album, One Step Ahead. I'm glad to say that I'm getting my money's worth with this album.

One Step Ahead was produced by Rhonda Vincent and her brother, Darrin. It consists of thirteen songs and runs for just over 38 minutes. The liner notes include song lyrics and pictures of Rhonda Vincent, as well as an article written by Robert K. Oermann. A number of well known bluegrass musicians play with Vincent, who has a band called The Rage. Rhonda Vincent is the only one credited on this album, so I'm guessing that this CD is considered a solo effort.

One Step Ahead gets off to a blazing start with Kentucky Borderline, a song Vincent wrote with Terry Head. Ronnie Stewart's rollicking banjo keeps this song charging ahead with plenty of energy. The song itself is an ode to a train and the music really supports the lyrics. I can almost picture a beautiful, powerful train barreling down tracks when I listen to this song.

The tempo slows down a bit with the tearjerker ballad, You Can't Take It With You When You Go. I really like this song, which is about a woman warning her significant other that if he decides to leave her, he can't take her love with her when he goes. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this song, which sounds like it would be equally appealing for contemporary country music fans as it is for bluegrass lovers.

Alison Krauss joins Rhonda Vincent on the title track, One Step Ahead Of The Blues. I love Alison Krauss's music and I like this song, but to be honest, I think her talents are almost wasted here. She sings a nice soprano harmony with Rhonda Vincent, but her voice doesn't really stand out on this song. It almost sounds like just anyone with a pure soprano voice could have sung her part. Rhonda Vincent, by contrast, sounds great singing lead.

The next song, Caught In The Crossfire, was written by Terry Head and Rhonda Vincent. This song, written from a little boy's point of view, is about a child who witnesses his parents' marriage breaking up. The music is played in appropriately solemn key, although its tempo is played in an almost jaunty bluegrass style. I have couple of issues with this song. First of all, it's written from a little boy's viewpoint, so it seems weird that a very adult woman like Rhonda Vincent would be singing it. And secondly, the tempo seems oddly upbeat for a song about a child who is witnessing the devastation of his parents' marriage breaking up. Still, if I don't pay attention to the words, I can enjoy this song, which is well played.

That banjo is back with Ridin' The Red Line, another urgent travel song. This time, Rhonda Vincent is singing from a truck driver's point of view, with words about an eighteen wheeler carrying her home to her man. While I know that there are female truck drivers out there, it seems almost novel that Rhonda Vincent would be singing about hurrying home in her rig to see her man again. I kind of like it.

Pathway of Teardrops has kind of a classic sound, as Rhonda Vincent sings harmony with her brother Darrin. They really sound wonderful together on this gentle waltzing tune. Aubrey Haynie plays a nice mandolin solo, followed by Luke Bella's fiddle solo. This song is a heartbreaker, with lyrics about someone missing an old love. But what really stands out is the gorgeous three part harmony. Rhonda and Darrin Vincent are the only ones credited as singing, so I'm guessing Rhonda must have added another harmony vocal. It sounds great.

An Old Memory Found Its Way Back is another heartbreak song. This time, the song is about someone who thought she was over her lover only to have an old memory bring back old feelings. This song also has a classic bluegrass sound, with lots of banjo and fiddle playing.

I really love Missouri Moon, a beautiful love song which sounds like it could be a contemporary country hit. The lyrics start off romantic and sweet, as Vincent sings about falling in love under a Missouri Moon. Alas, those sweet memories are tarnished as Vincent realizes that her sweet love is gone. Vincent does a pretty good conveying a sense of longing on this track, but to be honest, I prefer the live version of this song, which appears on Vincent's 2005 album Ragin'.

The next song, Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill, is a gospel tune. I really enjoy Rhonda Vincent's gospel efforts, since she sounds very invested in gospel music. Again, this song has kind of a classic feel to it, played in waltz time with lots of fiddles, banjos, and harmony vocals by Darrin Vincent.

The gospel theme continues with a beautiful acapella rendition of Becky Buller's Fishers of Men. Vincent sings with her brother, Darrin, Mickey Harris, and Eric Wilson. They sound beautiful together. I think this song is one of the best on the album.

Next comes an instrumental track, Frankie Bell, which was written by fiddle prodigy Molly Cherryholmes of the bluegrass family act Cherryholmes. Molly Cherryholmes plays fiddle on this track and I have to say, I think we're going to be hearing a lot from this girl. She was only ten years old when this number was recorded. It's very impressive.

If Heartaches Had Wings is another song that sounds like it could have been right at home on the contemporary country charts. The lyrics are about a woman caught in a miserable marriage. You know how people talk about country music being depressing? Well, this song is a pretty good representation of that stereotype. Vincent sings about a former homecoming queen who married the captain of the football team. He turned out to be a drunk bum, but because they have kids together, she's trapped in the relationship. Although I'm sure plenty of people can relate to this song, it's not very hopeful. But Rhonda Vincent sounds great vocally and the song does have a certain pop appeal. I can hear someone like Martina McBride singing it, though.

One Step Ahead ends with Rhonda Vincent's ode to the Martha White baking company with a new jingle, The Martha White Song. Rhonda Vincent often talks about growing up listening to the Martha White show on her radio and apparently now she's being sponsored by Martha White. This little jingle is appealing, but it's just 26 seconds long. On the other hand, it does end One Step Ahead on a perky note.

My thoughts

I actually like this album, although I have criticized a few of the songs. The truth is, I can enjoy all of the songs on this album, even if a couple of them don't seem to work as well as others. I wish the album were just a little longer than 38 minutes, but all in all, I like listening to it and it will get plenty of plays at our house.

One Step Ahead seems to be Rhonda Vincent's attempt to please country fans and bluegrass fans. There are a few classic bluegrass tracks here, but there are also a few songs that sound like they're on the edge of contemporary country. Personally, I like her bluegrass style better, but all of the songs on this CD are basically appealing. It gets four stars from me.

Rhonda Vincent's Web site: www.rhondavincent.com