Live On Location is a double live album from Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band - "West Virginia's classic bluegrass band". The debut single, "The Traveling Song", is now available to broadcasters and fans of traditional bluegrass.
The album contains five original compositions, including the instrumental "Antietam Turnaround" by banjo player Troy Stangle. Guitarist Kenton Catlett contributes four original songs. In addition to "The Traveling Song," Catlett also wrote "Thirty Years," "When the Sun Goes Down," and "Fast Train"(co-written with late country artist Gib Sage). The rest of the album is rounded out by traditional and gospel bluegrass staples from the band's live shows, such as mandolin player Brett Smeltzer's take on "I'm Working on a Building," "Are You Washed in the Blood?" and many more.
"These CDs really turned out great," said Smeltzer. "I think this project will go over great with anyone who purchases or hears it on the air."
The Live On Location concept developed in 2016. Stoney Creek had been recording two-track stereo mixes from the band's soundboard for several years, and band members expressed interest in making some of these available to fans. In late 2016 and early 2017, the band brought out a studio multi-track console to record a series of public and private shows, adding extra microphones to capture the audience as well. The double album features two complete sets from Stoney Creek's live performances. The project was recorded and mastered without compression, to preserve the full dynamic range of the performances. As a result, the album is a few decibels quieter than most modern recordings (including Stoney Creek's previous albums), but the improved sound quality should be noticeable to careful listeners.
"It almost sounds like a studio album," said bassist and founder Libby Files upon hearing the playback.
"It sounds live," said Catlett. "It is a live recording and I think it is just fine."
Live On Location also captures a recent phenomenon at Stoney Creek shows - the dancers. This trend began occurring on a regular basis in 2017 and has been encouraged by the band. One goal for this album was to include the audience, and the double album is ultimately a tribute to the fans.
"This might be the best Stoney Creek project yet," according to Stangle.
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