From the Vault...

03/03/2019
#1662

info
Shenandoah
"Super Hits"


© Columbia Records

Year of Release: 1994
Rating:

track listing
  • Any Ole Stretch Of Blacktop
  • Mama Knows
  • Sunday In The South
  • The Church On
    Cumberland Road
  • Two Dozen Roses
  • (It's Hard To Live Up To)
    The Rock
  • Next To You Next To Me
  • Ghost In This House
  • I Got You
  • The Moon Over Georgia

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    Shenandoah related sites:
    Shenandoah Website
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    Previous Review: #1661
    Alabama Shakes--Sound And Color
    Next Review: #1663
    Taj Mahal--The Natch'l Blues
    Shenandoah
    "Super Hits"



    Shenandoah had a total of five #1 songs on Billboard's Country. Four of them are from this week's review, Super Hits. Shenandoah was a Country act, popular in the late 1980s/1990s. The band is still together.


    "Any Ole Stretch Of Blacktop" is a fine Country honky-tonk'er, where "Mama Knows" is a splendid ballad. "Sunday In The South" is another nice Country ballad, and it was one of their #1's; their second one. Their first #1, is the great Country rocker, "The Church On Cumberland Road." "Two Dozen Roses" is another song that reached #1, another good Country tune. LIkewise, another good Country tune, "(It's Hard To Live Up) The Rock" And there's another great Country honky-tonk'er (and #1) -- "Next To You, Next To Me." "Ghost In This House" is another good Country ballad. "I Got You" is good also, and ending the compilation is another good ballad, "THe Moon Over Georgia."


    I really didn't follow current Country in the 1990s, as Shenandoah was popular. They definitely have that Country sound, likewise sounding more like Bluegrass. Super Hits was taken from the band's Columbia label albums, then moved to RCA, where they had last #1, "If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)" (which is a great Country song). Their harmonies are also superb. If you enjoy the music of Alabama, this could be a good comparison.


    As mentioned, Shenandoah is still together. Despite legal issues regarding the band's name, there were other bands that pursued lawsuits. One in Kentucky in 1990. A financial settlement was made with the Kentucky band, but then afterwards, two more bands filed lawsuits regarding the band name. The lawsuits regarded past money made on the road, in which they asked the label (Columbia) and their production company to pay one-third of legal costs. This was refused, and Shenandoah therefore declared bankruptcy, after paying 2 miliion dollars in legal fees and court settlements. They kept the Shenandoah name, and parted ways with the Columbia label. A lawsuit by the production company followed, claiming the band had tried to void its agreement with them. In 1992, Shenandoah moved to the RCA Records Nashville label. Throughout the rest of the 1990s, they released more albums, and bandmember Marty Raydon released a solo gospel album, and various members departed. By 1997, Marty recorded with his brother Tim, and also released another gospel album. Keyboardist Stan Thorn released a jazz album.


    In 2000, Shenandoah reunited, consisting of Jim Seales, Mike McGuire (original members), Stan Munsey, and Rocky Thacker. Two new members were added, Brent Lamb (lead singer) and Curtis Wright (guitarist/vocalist). In the year 2000, they released Shenandoah 2000. Lamb and Wright left in 2002, while original member Ralph Ezell rejoined. In 2006, Journeys was released on a new label, Cumberland Road. Ezell passed away of a heart attack in 2007, and was replaced Mike Folsom. Jimmy Yeary joined as the band's new lead singer.


    Marty Rayton rejoined as lead singer in 2014, replacing Doug Stokes. In early 2016, the band signed with Johnstone Entertainment for management representation. More changes in the bandmember lineup continued prior to 2016, and as of today, the band consists of Rayton, McGuire, Travis Mobley, Paul Sanders, Brad Benge, and Donnie Allen.


    Shenandoah's sound is definitely Country, with Bluegrass and Gospel. This is another band that defines Country music. Super Hits is a 10-song collection of the band's popular music from the late 1980s/1990s. With four #1 songs included, this band definitely deserves the title of being a good Country band.


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    Previous Review: #1661
    Alabama Shakes--Sound And Color
    Next Review: #1663
    Taj Mahal--The Natch'l Blues