Yonder the Big Blue Holler

1. Already Gone and Only Halfway There

2. Poor House

3. Circumstance

4. Hand in Hand

5. The Best Girl I Never Had

6. Five Nights Drunk

7. Devil Outta Me

8. How High the Corn

9. Take You Home

10. Beautiful Angel

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
On his new offering, "Yonder the Big Blue Holler" Todd Mack brings to the table 10 new ditties packed with grit and twang. His fifth release since his 1989 self-titled debut, "Yonder the Big Blue Holler" is his most cohesive effort to date and features the talents of some 25 musical guests. There are 8 originals on the disc showcasing Mack’s strong writing skills, as well as a cover of the little-known traditional number, "Five Nights Drunk", and the obscure Traveling Wilburys song, "Poor House". As co-owner of the Off the Beat-n-Track recording studio in western Massachusetts, Mack has honed down his production skills over the years to a fine art form, and nowhere is this more self-evident than on his new record. He has traveled extensively, touring full time for most of the 1990s, and has given more than 1,000 performances while traveling some half a million miles. The result of these experiences is heard loud & clear on "Yonder the Big Blue Holler", as Mack sings and plays with the conviction and confidence that only a road weary veteran can. Songs of drinking, driving (although not simultaneously), love, loss, power, and corruption are just a few of the topics Mack touches on during the course of the disc, and a gritty, honest vocal styling cuts right through to the heart and soul of the listener.

Tracks:

Already Gone and Only Halfway There
Poor House
Circumstance
Hand in Hand
The Best Girl I Never Had
Five Nights Drunk
Devil Outta Me
How High the Corn
Take You Home
Beautiful Angel

Album Description

On his new offering, "Yonder the Big Blue Holler" Todd Mack brings to the table 10 new ditties packed with grit and twang. His fifth release since his 1989 self-titled debut, "Yonder the Big Blue Holler" is his most cohesive effort to date and features the talents of some 25 musical guests. There are 8 originals on the disc showcasing Mack's strong writing skills, as well as a cover of the little-known traditional number, "Five Nights Drunk", and the obscure Traveling Wilburys song, "Poor House". As co-owner of the Off the Beat-n-Track recording studio in western Massachusetts, Mack has honed down his production skills over the years to a fine art form, and nowhere is this more self-evident than on his new record. He has traveled extensively, touring full time for most of the 1990s, and has given more than 1,000 performances while traveling some half a million miles. The result of these experiences is heard loud & clear on "Yonder the Big Blue Holler", as Mack sings and plays with the conviction and confidence that only a road weary veteran can. Songs of drinking, driving (although not simultaneously), love, loss, power, and corruption are just a few of the topics Mack touches on during the course of the disc, and a gritty, honest vocal styling cuts right through to the heart and soul of the listener.

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME CD.......2005-03-23

Big Blue rocks! A folk, rock, blues, country CD - Mack is able to transcend these genres and pull them together in cohesive unique style. This CD offers a tremendous variety of stories, musical styles, emotions and instrumentation, all delivered in a way that pulls them together as a polished whole. As you listen to the CD, each song is a treat - different in style and feel from the others. Yet, they all feel like they go together, and are linked by Macks soulful voice.

This is Burn Down The Barn Raunchy!.......2005-03-16

Todd Mack is one of those talents that have slogged the miles, played the boards, seen the bands come and go, and he's still standing, with guitar in hand, ready to kick some butt and take down names. "Yonder The Big Blue Holler" is a fun, countrified, rock and roll blend of musical stew that resembles Chinese Food - it fills you up, but in an hour, it leaves you wanting more. So, you'll be playing this one again and again. Those folks in the Berkshire Mountins, where Todd and his cadre of artists work, are lucky to have him nearby, where he produces local talent and hosts his own radio show "Off the Beat-N-Track" on on WKZE in Sharon, CT.

The album is an eclectic blend of down home country, drunken blues or rock and roll so hot, it could melt snow on your windshield.

There's a lot of love that went into this album. Come on, and share some. See that button that says "Add to Cart"? That's the stuff!

Something for everyone--make that LOTS for everyone!.......2005-02-23

Todd Mack's Yonder the Big Blue Holler is impossible to dislike. The lyrics consistently tell it like it is, whether the "it" is a love story, an embarrassing road moment, or a goodbye to a lost friend. The music ranges widely, from the Steve Earle-approved country rock of "Already Gone and Only Halfway There" to the James Brown-inflected funk groove under "Devil Outta Me" to the raucous "Five Nights Drunk," which somehow makes a seamless transition from a wacky alt-country take on a traditional tune right into a full-scale N'awlins-style jazz break down.

The production is clean and smooth but never slick--this is a good and gritty record that represents everything that's good about independent music. The final cut--a tribute to the artist's friend Daniel Pearl, the murdered journalist--uses a haunting marriage of Mack's earnest lyrics with hypnotic loops created from Pearl's own violin playing. The effect is staggering, and is a fitting bookend on a CD that encapsulates so many feelings and musical styles.

But first and foremost, this is a rock and roll record--play it loud and you will find that, at least for an hour, all is right with the world.

Excellent Debut! Todd Mack rocks!.......2004-12-31

Big Blue is the first I have heard from this artist and it did not disappoint. Mack comes from a long line of original, folksy and brilliant musician/producers such as Greg Brown and Steve Earle. He has a distinctive sound, angelic yet cutting voice and I can't say enough about the tight production of the Cd -- it's quite nearly flawless (and I'm a HUGE snob.) We owe it to our generation and music lovers everywhere to support genuine, authentic and independent music like Mack's. He keeps it real. Keep a close ear out for the rough and tumble Circumstance as well as the haunting Beautiful Angel -- a fitting tribute to murdered journalist/musician Danny Pearl. I challenge anyone to listen to it with dry eyes.

Good Road Tunes.......2004-12-19

I've had this CD in my car for about 3 weeks and I haven't grown tired of it. There is some great guitar work on this album by a variety of good players...some fine pickin' in my opinion. The pedal steel player is fantastic. I really enjoy the fiddle work...really nice lines and medodies. Todd Mack has some toe tappin' songs with fantastic arrangements. All in all, a great CD with styles of songs for everyone.

Music Album:

Music Album