Like Delia Bell and Allison Krauss, Sue Nikas has one of those ideal bluegrass voices that licks the last drop of dew off a rose and the last drop of pain off a thorn.

12 MP3 Songs in this album (40:50) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Bluegrass, FOLK: Traditional Folk

People who are interested in Gillian Welch Laurie Lewis should consider this download.


Details:
This is the seventh CD issued by Susan Nikas.

Like Delia Bell and Allison Krauss, Sue Nikas has one of those ideal bluegrass voices that licks the last drop of dew off a rose and the last drop of pain off a thorn. So do not listen to this CD if you don't want to see, hear, taste and feel the hard times strike out at you from lush bluegrass melodies.
Dalton Roberts, columnist

From time to time I'm compelled to discuss a music project with no reference to the generally-required genre or cubbyhole through which it may be found. This is just such an album. The category this music fits is Wonderful. Sue sings with the authority of a Johnny Cash, the confidence of a Connie Smith and the anchoredness of an Odetta. Her original songs are interspersed with a few public domain pieces that she treats with the same respect that "her" stuff gets. My favorite of the original material is "You're the Secret of My Heart," while "Buffalo Gals" and "Streets of Laredo" come to a dead heat on the PD wire. The musicians are consistently on target and the harmonies...well, Sue is credited with all the vocals...if that's her singing all harmonies, the amazement intensifies, as there are two different levels of harmony that suggest a VAST range of possibilities from this lady.

Bill Littleton,The Bridge Works January 2009


It's always good to hear from Sue Nikas again and this album is no exception.

Hard Times & Bad times is twelve tracks long and has a play time of forty one minutes. It features Sue Nikas on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ned Boyer on harmonica, Les Johnson on lead guitar, Elizabeth Terlinden on flute, and Dennis Caplinger on everything.

Most of the songs are original material by Sue Nikas and the remaining songs are traditional; some with additional lyrics by Sue Nikas.

The album is definitely worth a listen; with good words and music, good instrumental work, and something you don't hear all that often these days -- words you can actually understand.

Music is subjective of course, but to me the highlight of the album is Sue's rendition of Buffalo Gals. She added some extra lyrics to the old standard, sang it in a couple keys, and included some great instrumental work. Now you just can't help but grin when listening to this. Just received bad news at the doctor's office? No problem, just get out your copy of Hard Times & Bad times and play track ten. You'll be feeling better shortly.

Enjoy.

-- Michael O'Keefe