Reviews & Quotes

"Currently burning up the Inland Empire and buzzing the world of bluegrass, Big Red Barn is pursuing the notion that uptown blues can fit the bluegrass oeuvre as successfully as downhome blues does.  It ends up depending on how narrowly or broadly bluegrass is defined, but BRB tackles it all with infectious good cheer and great (but not too fussy) musicianship.  The urgent nature of bluegrass loses to the more languid pace of the blues, but the tunes themselves are chosen with such care that the record maintains an excitement:  of anticipating the familiar (St. Anne's Reel or St. James Infirmary) done in a whole new way, or of reintroducing songs like Just Because and Honey It Must Be Love to the canon.  BRB's mando man, Kevin Brown, contributes a couple of his own tunes that fit right in, as do guitarist Ken Glastre and banjo picker Charley Gurche, ensuring this group a fine future.  The album shows big-league production and packaging, and the group has Pete Wernick in its cheering section, so expect to see and hear more from these northwesterners.

  - Victory Music Review, July 2006

"The sound that Big Red Barn produces on this CD is awesome! The CD is magnificently produced and the sound quality is outstanding, bringing out the very best in this groups’ enthusiasm and talent. Their selection of music for the project offers something for just about anyone who loves bluegrass from the standards of “St. Anne’s Reel” which they take in a unique direction and gospel favorite “I am a Pilgrim”, to the fun and funky “Honey, It must be Love.” This is the kind of music that you just keep tapping your feet to and singing along with while you listen to the disc. It just made me smile from beginning to end! All of the members of the band are deeply involved in the arts in Spokane, with Patrick Klausen (upright bass) and Kevin Brown (mandolin) involved with KPBX, the Public Broadcasting station in Spokane, Klausen as Production Director and Brown host of the weekly Front Porch Bluegrass, heard every Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm. This is a wonderfully produced and performed CD and, as always, I urge you to support the talented musicians we have among us here in Washington. Who for? Almost everyone! This CD has something for everyone including fantastic instrumental work and crisp clean vocals. Add this one to your collection!"  

  - Washington Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Gazette, Spring 2006 

"A wonderful cross between down-home and professional, studio & living room... this is one of those rare CDs that I regularly play for recreational listening because it's so much fun! It's a joyous celebration..."

- Dan Maher, host of Inland Folk on Northwest Public Radio

"If I were a festival promoter I'd hire this band in a heartbeat because this is a FUN BAND!"

- Pete "Dr. Banjo" Wernick