Prairie Sky - Shades of Blue (2015)

Prairie Sky, with its clear and compelling brand of acoustic bluegrass, has been making quite an impact in the San Diego region where the band is headquartered. After more than five years of performing to outstanding reviews, the band has finally released a much anticipated first studio recording project.

Prairie Sky presents stellar three and four part harmony vocals as the core of the band's music. The vocals are complimented by strong rhythm and lead guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle, and banjo. Shades of Blue has three original tunes and cover tunes ranging from classic bluegrass stalwarts like Old Train, to ballads, and blues influenced modern work. Ramona Ault presents a clear and unforgettable female vocal lead, while Jeff Smith drives the band with his strong lead vocals and guitar. When Ramona and Jeff sing together, complimented by the harmony vocals of Avery Ellisman and Dwight Worden, the band is at its finest, with Avery contributing tastefully complimentary instrumentation on mandolin, fiddle and banjo.

Tim O'Brien, Gillian Welch, Darrrell Scott, and the Steeldrivers are some of the band's favorite songwriters and you will find robust renditions of their material on Shades of Blue along with a classic four part acapela Gospel number performed by the full band (Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan) and a traditional Irish influenced tune (the Newry Highwayman) beautifully presented by Ramona.

If you love bluegrass music, classic or modern, and you appreciate harmony vocals well done complimented by tasteful acoustic instrumentation, then you will want to give Prairie Sky a listen.