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Check out what the media says about Rift........
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"Rift plays modern bluegrass and ventures into extended
instrumental explorations. Call it jamgrass, if you will. Traditional
bluegrass it is not. Fresh and thrilling it is. And a logical
progression for bluegrass, too. The album sports seven songs and five
instrumentals. Sophisticated stuff with hints of jazz and the
occasional odd chord appearing. Challenging for the listener--and
that's good." MT, Sing Out! Vol 49,
#3 Fall 2005
"Well, Tony, you've up and done it again-bursting forth with another totally original CD chock full of some genre-bending songs and fine picking and singing. It must be quite satisfying, not to mention cool, to have the privilege of making music with your son. Rift has a sound uniquely its own and should win many new fans over to the cause. I especially enjoyed "Push On Through," "Travlin'," "Ript" and "Shangrula." Plus, you couldn't be totally impressed with just the names of the last three titles on the project by themselves: "Blasphemy," "Atrophy" and "Proclivity." Now, that's really cool. Dave Higgs, Bluegrass
Just a note to say we really like the new disc from Rift here at 100,000 watt KUMD up in Duluth, MN. Tony and Hardy Williamson are both terrific!! This disc has some goos songs, great vocals, and inspiring instrumental work. Lookout Johnny Staats and Ricky Skaggs. "Push On Thru" getting 3-4 spins a week within our eclectic format. If supplies of "Push On Thru" allow there at MCP, please send a few (5) extra copies for KUMD to include as on-air premiums during our on-air fund-raising. Thanks very much!!!" John Ziegler @ KUMD
"Thank you so very much for the excellent promo CD you recently sent (through Redeye Distribution) of Rift. I will be spotlighting the album during one of my upcoming shows. Once again, thanks for the CD and for keeping the music alive...Matt Schuyler (Johnny Timewarp) "Dark Side of the Highway", WFCS 107.7 FM
"As soon as I received this cd I couldn't wait to get home in order to play it. I knew that this project was going to be something special, and I wasn't disappointed. I was totally mesmerized while listening to this wonderful project. Since all of the songs were new to me, I had to listen very closely to each song in order to get the full impact of the exceptional lyrics. The vocals were outstanding, and you could feel the emotion and enthusiasm as each song was sung. The instrumental work was flawless!!! The instruments seemed to be talking to you. Another plus for this project was the length of each song. Most songs usually run for approximately 2 minutes to 2 1/2 minutes. By the time you get interested in a song it has already completed. The majority of the songs on this project exceeded that time. That being the case we were able to derive alot of pleasure with the extended length. I played the entire cd over a 2 week period and received many requests to play all of the songs again. I am playing selected cuts each week until all of the songs are played again. Thank you for sharing your fine project with us! -- Al Shusterman KCBL Radio Backroads Bluegrass Sacremento CA
RIFT "Push On Thru" CD '05 (Mandolin Central, US) Interesting parallel I see between RIFT & early Seven Nations. The latter's embryonic years saw 'em take Celtic music & extrapolate it into different genres, borne on the wings of a maestro musician, piper Neil Anderson. Here, RIFT sets a platform of bluegrass & thereon, launches into rock, alt-country, etc. driven by the scintillating talents of mandolin master, Tony Williamson. Adding to the mix as well are the vocals & guitar work of Hardy Williamson, who looks kinda like a young Peyton Manning. Plenty of first downs here!