21st Century Pioneer

21st Century Pioneer

21st Century Pioneer

ASIN: B000B2WK14

Track Listings
 
1. Wondrous
2. 21st Century Pioneer
3. Rise Above
4. Courtin' a Christian Girl
5. The Nature Song
6. Sleeping Bear
7. Pretty nifty
8. Sweet Mother Alcohol
9. Sheryl
10. Hoochey Coochey
11. Patchouli Train
12. Turn
13. House Upon the Hill

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Intent on crafting original Alt-Country music and united by a love of solid, honest songwriting, The Wrenfields have proven to be one of the smartest-thinking, hardest-working, loudest-rocking country bands. Dubbed early on as “Detroit’s Favorite Alt-Country Group� by the Detroit MetroTimes, the band’s members collectively combine their diverse musical influences and wealth of experiences to deliver a brand of genre-crossing country music that garners critical accolades, not only from national press but also critics in Italy, Belgium, England, Japan and Canada. The Wrenfields have shared the stage with such performers as Darrel Worley, The Silos, Lorrie Morgan, Fred Eaglesmith, Jim Roll, Pin Monkey, and Restless Heart, to name a few. The band wowed crowds at the 2004 Meijer All American Jam, the 2003 North by Northeast (NXNE) Festival in Toronto, the 2002-2004 Budweiser Detroit Hoedown along with National Artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Trace Adkins, Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless. The band also showcased at the 2004 Detroit Music Awards Show at the State Theater in Detroit, Michigan. In 2001, The Wrenfields’ debut album 21st Century Pioneer was released. Detroit Free Press Staff Writer Greg Crawford wrote: “The 13 tunes on ‘21st Century Pioneer’, all written by band members, transport listeners to an infectiously happy American heartland filled with blue skies, innocent romance and outdoor vistas that beg to be painted.� The album’s producer Tyler Brown, who worked with ex-Jayhawks front man Mark Olson and singer/songwriter Victoria Williams, brought experience and focus to the recording. The album was recorded and mixed at the band’s own Compound Studio in Dearborn, Michigan.  In October 2002, The Wrenfields served-up Seconds, a release gravitating toward an honest, pure country sound. The eleven songs from their sophomore effort carry the listener through a wide spectrum of emotion. Tracks include the two-stepping, roadhouse-style “Every Now and Then� and “Lovesick�; the heartfelt response to September 11th “Patriot’s Day (Katie Bar the Door)�; the beautiful ballads “We Must Say Goodbye� and “Never Once Alone�; and the all-out rocking cuts “Mother Nature Girl�, “Worthless� and “Carry Me Away�.  Altcountrytab.com’s Doug Floyd gave Seconds four stars and wrote “As a musician, if I could get to play in my ideal alt.country band, this is the kind of music I would love to play.� Like the first release, Seconds was engineered and produced by Tyler Brown at the Compound Studio. David Wolfenberger, drummer for Mark Olson and The Creek Dippers, appears on the CD, sweetening the mix by adding banjo, guitar and mountain dulcimer.

By winning 6 Detroit Music Awards in the last three years including back-to-back wins for Outstanding Country Recording â€" 21st Century Pioneer (2002) and Seconds (2003), and Outstanding Country Group (2002-2004), the band has brought Alt.Country music to a wide audience, establishing a loyal following centered in the Midwest and ever-expanding outward. Tunes from 21st Century Pioneer and Seconds regularly receive airplay on radio stations across North America and continental Europe. The Wrenfields’ songwriting is refined, coherent and displays their experience and diligent hard work. Alt-Country standard bearers Wilco, The Jayhawks and Lucinda Williams are major influences to the band and the lineage is evident in the music.

Product Description
The first thing that strikes you when the Wrenfields' 21st Century Pioneer begins to play are the intricate guitar harmonies that are strikingly reminiscent of the Allman Brothers' tune "Ramblin' Man"; soon after this you begin to hear the articulate and gifted delivery of John Pyro, whose thoughtful lyrics resonate with a profoundly gifted play on words. The music of the Wrenfields might be considered alt-country, or something of the like, but there's something about this recording that reminds you of the folky, yet electric offering that Phish produced with 1994's critically acclaimed Hoist. The Wrenfields' 21st Century Pioneer is an excellently produced and performed recording, one that showcases an excellent ensemble craftily creating fantastic music that demonstrates their stellar musicianship and their togetherness as a cohesive performing ensemble. This recording is both organic and alive. You can almost feel the band enjoying themselves all throughout this recording. It's as if the band's passion and excitement for their music might actually jump out of the speakers. This is a fantastic disc. -Matt Borghi - All Music Guide

21st Century Pioneer,Wrenfields,Wrenfields, LLC,Country,Pop,Rock
The Incredible Flutist
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Incredible Flutist
    Ulysses Kay , Walter Piston , Peggy Stuart-Coolidge , Daniel Gregory Mason , Siegfried Landau , Paul Freeman , David Epstein , Aristid von Wurtzler , and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Symphony Orchestra
    Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by PistonAll Works by Piston | Piston, Walter | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by StillAll Works by Still | Still, William Grant | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    Tone PoemsTone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    CompilationsCompilations | Classical | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem)

    ASIN: B000001K5E
    Release Date: 1996-05-21

    Tracks:

    1. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: I. Li'l Scamp
    2. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: II. Honeysuckle
    3. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: III. Dance
    4. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: IV. Mah Bones Is Creakin'
    5. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: V. Blue
    6. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: VI. Brown Girl
    7. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: VII. Clap Yo' Han's
    8. William Grant Still / Darker America
    9. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: I. Schottische
    10. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: II. Waltz
    11. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: III. Round Dance
    12. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: IV. Polka
    13. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: V. Promenade
    14. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: VI. Galop
    15. Walter Piston / Suite from the Ballet 'The Incredible Flutist'

    Tracks:

    1. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Rhapsody for Harp and Orchestra
    2. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / New England Autumn: I. Dawn Over the Mountain
    3. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / New England Autumn: II. Country Fair
    4. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: I. Allegro vivo
    5. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: II. Andante, quasi rubato
    6. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: III. Allegro vivo
    7. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Blue Planet
    8. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Spirituals in Sunshine and Shadow
    9. Daniel Gregory Mason / Prelude and Fugue for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 20
    Ionisation II: Pioneer Orchestral Recordings 1927-1951
    Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    • Rare. Which means "Not necessarily well-done."
    		 Ionisation II: Pioneer Orchestral Recordings 1927-1951

    Manufacturer: Symposium
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    Ives, CharlesIves, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vaughan Williams, RalphVaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by BrucknerAll Works by Bruckner | Bruckner, Anton | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomanticRomantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    CompilationsCompilations | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B0000TWAJU
    Release Date: 2004-04-27

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars Rare. Which means "Not necessarily well-done.".......2004-04-28

    My main interest in acquiring this CD (as well as a companion one on the same Symposium label called, simply, "Ionisation" and including the famed Edgar Varèse work) was to assess the capabilities of Nicolas Slonimsky as a conductor of the music of "moderns," and, most importantly among those moderns, the music of Charles Ives.

    Save for an earlier public performance of portions of Ives's Fourth Symphony by Eugene Goossens in the '20s (and, perhaps, in-practice run-throughs of his Second Symphony by Walter Damrosch and his New York Symphony-Orchestra a decade earlier than the documented Goossens performance), the first conductor to champion the orchestral music of Ives was Slonimsky. In the early '30s, Slonimsky formed a group of Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians (and, I would expect, some free-lancers) as the Boston Chamber Orchestra, and, with this group, directed some of the earliest-known performances of the music of Chávez, Cowell, Ives, Riegger, Ruggles, Varèse and other lesser-known Pan-American composers. His performances of this music, most especially Ives's "Three Places in New England," in venues as far apart as Havana, New York, Paris and Berlin, were the stuff of legends. And no one added more to that legend than Slonimsky himself, in his later writings as diarist and musical lexicographer. Famed for his preternatural ability to conduct two different meters with his arms, he seemed a natural for conducting the polyrhythms of much of Ives's music.

    It is therefore sad for me to have to say that the two early Ives performances, recorded in May, 1934, captured on this CD border on the abysmal. The "Barn Dance" (from Ives's Holidays Symphony) has serious intonation and ensemble roughness to it, perhaps as a consequence of the Pan American Chamber Orchestra being essentially a pick-up group not having a tradition of performing such rhythmically difficult works. (It was only over time-measured in decades-that performance practices for Ives's technically difficult works were elevated to an acceptable level.) The performance of "In the Night" (from Ives's Set for Theatre Orchestra) fares somewhat better, if hardly at the level of what such current-day Ives specialists as Richard Bernas and James Sinclair routinely achieve these days.

    These two early (and brief) Ives performances are included amongst what the Symposium label producer (unattributed) describes as "Pioneer Orchestral Recordings: 1927 - 1951." The dawn of the age of electrical recordings began in 1925, and the earliest recording on this CD dates to 1928 (not 1927), a rather good performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra led by Prof. Anton Konrath (a total unknown to me) of the Scherzo from Bruckner's 3rd Symphony. Equally good in performance, and marginally better in sound, are yet three more Bruckner Scherzos, from his Symphonies "0," 1 and 2, with the Berlin Staatsoper Orchestra led by Fritz Zaun (another total unknown).

    The CD opens with an extended suite from Albert Roussel's "Le Festin de l'Araignée" ("The Spider's Feast), dating from 1929 and led by the composer. Neither the recorded sound nor the orchestral performance is up to the par of the above-noted earlier Bruckner recording. Interesting as an historical document, but little more.

    More interesting, primarily for their rarity, are early recordings of little-heard music by Mark Lothar (two excerpts from "Lord Spleen," with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra directed by Clemens Schmalstich and dating from 1930) and Werner Egk, remembered as the composer of the ballet music for "The Red Shoes" (his "Kleine Abraxas-Suite," with the RIAS Symphony Orchestra, Berlin directed by Ferenc Fricsay and dating from 1951).

    The well-filled (74:47) CD also has a 1945 performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis," with Arturo Toscanini leading his NBC Orchestra in a live performance (complete with audience cough). Undoubtedly recorded in the infamous RCA Studio 8H, the recording of this performance captures all the problems attributed to the venue. Worse yet, Toscanini's interpretation of the work is best described as "rushed, driven, forced, totally unidiomatic," and not all that good from an ensemble perspective either. (The cello pizzicati early in the work are both way too prominent and not at all "together.") Without specifically editorializing on Toscanini interpretations and performances in general, I'll simply note that this is perhaps the worst possible way in which to acquaint oneself with this Vaughan Williams masterpiece.

    The CD transfers seem to have been made totally without benefit of any of the well-known technical tricks available for reducing surface noise from the originals (presumably lacquer masters), and this is largely independent of vintage: the later (1945, 1951) recordings don't necessarily show measurable improvement over the earlier ones (1928, 1929) made at the dawn of the electrical recording age. The booklet notes are helpful for background material on the more obscure composers (Egk and Lothar), but little else. In particular, the producer/engineer responsible for the transfers is not identified (and it's probably just as well).

    In summary, a mixed-bag curiosity, primarily of interest to those who would like to get some sense of Slonimsky's vaunted expertise with the music of Ives. Regrettably, these Pan American Chamber Orchestra recordings-perhaps the only Slonimsky ones extant-do a disservice to both composer and conductor. If only there existed an air check of the performance Slonimsky led of Ives's "Three Places in New England," conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in March, 1932! Those performances also included Ruggles's "The Sun-treader," Cowell's "Synchrony" and Varèse's "Arcana." To hear (or, more correctly, read) Slonimsky's relating of the concerts, they must have been something special.

    Well, maybe one of these days...

    Bob Zeidler
    21st Century Pioneer
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • cosmic american music?
    • Fantastic first record
    		 21st Century Pioneer
    The Wrenfields
    Manufacturer: Wrenfields, LLC
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000B2WK14
    Release Date: 2005-08-23

    Tracks:

    1. Wondrous
    2. 21st Century Pioneer
    3. Rise Above
    4. Courtin' a Christian Girl
    5. The Nature Song
    6. Sleeping Bear
    7. Pretty nifty
    8. Sweet Mother Alcohol
    9. Sheryl
    10. Hoochey Coochey
    11. Patchouli Train
    12. Turn
    13. House Upon the Hill

    Product Description

    The first thing that strikes you when the Wrenfields' 21st Century Pioneer begins to play are the intricate guitar harmonies that are strikingly reminiscent of the Allman Brothers' tune "Ramblin' Man"; soon after this you begin to hear the articulate and gifted delivery of John Pyro, whose thoughtful lyrics resonate with a profoundly gifted play on words. The music of the Wrenfields might be considered alt-country, or something of the like, but there's something about this recording that reminds you of the folky, yet electric offering that Phish produced with 1994's critically acclaimed Hoist. The Wrenfields' 21st Century Pioneer is an excellently produced and performed recording, one that showcases an excellent ensemble craftily creating fantastic music that demonstrates their stellar musicianship and their togetherness as a cohesive performing ensemble. This recording is both organic and alive. You can almost feel the band enjoying themselves all throughout this recording. It's as if the band's passion and excitement for their music might actually jump out of the speakers. This is a fantastic disc. -Matt Borghi - All Music Guide

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars cosmic american music?.......2006-11-22

    I bought the Wrenfields after coming across them almost by accident while looking for similar artists to perennial fave's the Jayhawks. On the strength of the Jayhawks recommendation "one of Louris' favourite bands" I purchased and am surprised and delighted at the quality herein. There is a whole raft of styles from Country Rock, Bluesy type guitar, Rock, Alternate Country and even touches of bluegrass. Song writing credits are shared as are the vocals. 1st song sets the tone with its immediate familiarity and warmth and while there are a couple of overly Christian moments and some indecipherable lyrics in place, most of it is in the same vein. To be honest I would probably look at Blue Mountain prior to getting the Wrenfields but once you've exhausted all other Alt Country avenues its nice to know that there is unpretentious, feel good stuff like this here too.

    5 out of 5 stars Fantastic first record.......2005-11-26

    However you found your way here, I'm so glad you did. Now you can buy this great record! The Wrenfields are a group of gifted musicians and songwriters. I've had both records for a long time and have listened to them a lot. Everytime I come back to them I wonder why I've been away! Listen to "Sweet Mother Alcohol" and tell me why this bunch of great people aren't huge stars! In a perfect world they would be. Do yourself a favor and order this. You'll be so glad you did. It's a perfect blend of rock and country. "Alt-Country" if you will.....
    March Spectacular
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		March Spectacular

      Manufacturer: BNA
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Baroque Dance SuitesBaroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande
      Goodwin, RonGoodwin, Ron | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by HandelAll Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartAll Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      MarchesMarches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Baroque (c.1600-1750)Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Classical (c.1770-1830)Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances
      GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      MarchesMarches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      Classic Big BandClassic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000057DHQ
      Release Date: 1990-01-01

      Tracks:

      1. British Grenadiers
      2. Scipio
      3. The Grenadiers March
      4. The Coldstream March: Milanollo - The Band Of The Coldstream Guards
      5. Figaro - The Band Of The Coldstream Guards
      6. St. Patrick's Day - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      7. Let Erin Remember - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      8. Through Bolts And Bars
      9. Army And Marine
      10. Furchtlos Und Treu
      11. Red Men's March
      12. Nijmegen
      13. Dunedin
      14. Badenviller
      15. Carry On
      16. Bond Of Friendship
      17. Indenpendentia
      18. King's Troop
      19. Luftwaffe March
      20. Imperial Echoes
      21. Admiral Of The Air
      22. Trafalgar
      23. Frensham
      24. Pioneer Spirit - The Band Of The Coldstream Guards
      25. Quis Separabit - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      26. Wellington - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      27. San Lorenzo - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      28. Sons Of The Brave - The Band Of The Irish Guards
      29. Star Of St. Patrick - The Band Of The Irish Guards

      Album Review:

      1. 28 Big Ones
      2. 28 Country Favorites [Import]
      3. America, Why I Love Her
      4. American Roots Songbook
      5. Ant Bite Boogie
      6. Best of Freddie Hart
      7. Best of the Best Country [Import]
      8. Blues [Import]
      9. Brooks & Dunn, Vol. 2 [Karaoke]
      10. Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series

      Album Review

      Album Review