The Grascals - Before Breakfast
By: Connie Breeden
It’s been a long time since I heard an album that sounded so vibrant. This album is an absolutely delightful breath of fresh air for me. As soon as Before Breakfast hit my speakers, I recognized the prestigious pickin' of guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin the way I remembered it from my childhood. I have fond memories of watching my grandmother dance a little jig or clog a few steps. God rest her beautiful soul, she loved her bluegrass music, and well, I grew to enjoy it just as much.
I've always been intrigued by the banjo and the mandolin. Over the last couple of decades music has changed drastically, but the Grascals have stayed true to the roots of country/bluegrass music.
Their songs tell delightful stories, and again I find myself unable to pick just one favorite song from this album. I feel they have artistically cultivated the sound and vision of music, in this twelve song CD. The passion and harmony, instrumentally and vocally, had me hooked from the start.
The first song on the album, “Sleepin’ With The Reaper”, tells a story about a married man, for whom divorce is not an option, so there's no way out but death. Here's a little preview of the song: With the echo of I do still ringing in my ears / She said you need to know what I believe / I’m a Christian woman / now you’re a married man / Death is the only way to leave / She said I don’t intend to let you tell a lie / You crossed your heart and hoped to die / One way or the other, who’s it gonna be tonight / Will you be sleeping with the reaper or me, tonight? / Sleeping with the reaper or me?
The second song on the album is “Demons”. This song has such powerful lyrics about the destruction we do to ourselves in everyday life situations. We test our faith and do things we may not be proud of. The song goes, “When I’m not chasing demons / the demons are chasing me”. I think at one time or another, in our own lives, we can all relate to this situation.
The fourth song, “I’ve Been Redeemed”, was a real standout track for me. As a Christian, my faith has been tested numerous times. But this song gives you hope and joy by reminding you that God is forgiving, and we can all be saved if we just listen.
The sixth song is the shortest one on the album at only 2:14 minutes. “Beer Tree" is so catchy it will make you want to pop the top of your favorite brew and kick back on your front porch looking at your trees and wishing just one could be a "Beer Tree".
The last six songs on the album “Pathway Of Teardrops”, “Lynchburg Chicken Run”, “He took Your Place”, “Lost And Lonesome”, “There Is You”, and “Clear Corn Liquor", are so creative and imaginatively written, I just found myself re-living memories of my precious grandma smiling and singing all her favorite bluegrass tunes.
The only thing I have left to say to the Grascals is thank you for great music and the wonderful memories. This album is contagious and a blast to listen to from start to finish. All of the songs are masterfully written and will draw you in.
This 12-song collection will be available September 1.
Official website
It’s been a long time since I heard an album that sounded so vibrant. This album is an absolutely delightful breath of fresh air for me. As soon as Before Breakfast hit my speakers, I recognized the prestigious pickin' of guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin the way I remembered it from my childhood. I have fond memories of watching my grandmother dance a little jig or clog a few steps. God rest her beautiful soul, she loved her bluegrass music, and well, I grew to enjoy it just as much.
I've always been intrigued by the banjo and the mandolin. Over the last couple of decades music has changed drastically, but the Grascals have stayed true to the roots of country/bluegrass music.
Their songs tell delightful stories, and again I find myself unable to pick just one favorite song from this album. I feel they have artistically cultivated the sound and vision of music, in this twelve song CD. The passion and harmony, instrumentally and vocally, had me hooked from the start.
The first song on the album, “Sleepin’ With The Reaper”, tells a story about a married man, for whom divorce is not an option, so there's no way out but death. Here's a little preview of the song: With the echo of I do still ringing in my ears / She said you need to know what I believe / I’m a Christian woman / now you’re a married man / Death is the only way to leave / She said I don’t intend to let you tell a lie / You crossed your heart and hoped to die / One way or the other, who’s it gonna be tonight / Will you be sleeping with the reaper or me, tonight? / Sleeping with the reaper or me?
The second song on the album is “Demons”. This song has such powerful lyrics about the destruction we do to ourselves in everyday life situations. We test our faith and do things we may not be proud of. The song goes, “When I’m not chasing demons / the demons are chasing me”. I think at one time or another, in our own lives, we can all relate to this situation.
The fourth song, “I’ve Been Redeemed”, was a real standout track for me. As a Christian, my faith has been tested numerous times. But this song gives you hope and joy by reminding you that God is forgiving, and we can all be saved if we just listen.
The sixth song is the shortest one on the album at only 2:14 minutes. “Beer Tree" is so catchy it will make you want to pop the top of your favorite brew and kick back on your front porch looking at your trees and wishing just one could be a "Beer Tree".
The last six songs on the album “Pathway Of Teardrops”, “Lynchburg Chicken Run”, “He took Your Place”, “Lost And Lonesome”, “There Is You”, and “Clear Corn Liquor", are so creative and imaginatively written, I just found myself re-living memories of my precious grandma smiling and singing all her favorite bluegrass tunes.
The only thing I have left to say to the Grascals is thank you for great music and the wonderful memories. This album is contagious and a blast to listen to from start to finish. All of the songs are masterfully written and will draw you in.
This 12-song collection will be available September 1.
Official website
