Producers: Adam Steffey, Tim Surrett, and Ben Rochester
Label: Mountain Home
Song Titles: "Access To The Throne Room," "The Best Is Yet To Come," "There's Not A Problem," "One Beggar To Another," "Heaven Will Take Care Of It All," "Come Unto Me," "I'll Never Get Too Old To Pray," "That's Him," "The Price Of A Book," "Once And For All," "If You Only Knew," and "In The Garden"
The Rochesters hail from Blacksburg, SC. They have a traditional bluegrass sound with mixed vocal harmonies. Their project Counting The Cost was released in 2003.
The Rochesters don't appear to be a traditional bluegrass band, though. Ben Rochester is the only group member credited with playing instruments on the CD, contributing on acoustic guitar, harmonica, dobro, and banjo. Studio musicians include Jason Moore (acoustic bass), producer Adam Steffey (mandolin), and Cole Barnett (acoustic guitar). Barnett also wrote two songs for the project. One nice thing about this recording is that the musicians are allowed to stretch and jam at times . . . on the end of "Heaven Will Take Care Of It All," for example, the players get to be noticed for a bit before the song fades.
Overall, the tracks on Counting The Cost are laid back, though not boring at all. "There's Not A Problem" and "That's Him" pick up the tempo to provide contrast. I enjoyed the change of pace on the Chuck Wagon Gang classic "Come Unto Me" as the Rochesters gave it their own flavor. Somebody played a very nice mournful fiddle for "I'll Never Get Too Old To Pray," but that player is uncredited in the liner notes, unfortunately. The fiddler shows up again for "The Price Of A Book," "If You Only Knew," and "In The Garden."
Fans of Allison Krauss , Ricky Skaggs and the Isaacs owe it to themselves to check out the Rochesters. They don't offer the same level of flashy material as those artists, but their gentler numbers are on a comparable scale. This is how those artists would probably sound playing and singing while sitting around in their living room. Even though I'm far from being a diehard bluegrass fan, I know when I'm hearing good quality, authentic bluegrass music. Counting The Cost qualifies.
Author: David Bruce Murray
| Author's Website: http://www.musicscribe.com
Written: 03/31/2005
| 
Category: ReviewsCD Reviews
Comments: 10
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I think the Rochesters are GREAT!
The Rochesters have a great sound and one that is very pleasing to the ears. I love their music very much.
Very good review, David.
if any of you out there have never seen the rochesters live you owe it to yourself to go and upon that you will relize how sincere they are about thier ministry their sound is awsome!
To reiterate what WJFJ's James Metcalf said, The Rochesters are indeed amazingly talented people. To me, Ben and Becky have two of the sweetest voices on the planet. But beyond that this gifted family is sincerely committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can hardly get them in the studio they're on the road so much!
Back in the early 90's,I was radio promoter for Mark 5 Records. I was in my office and I kept hearing something on the radio. I thought this is awesome. I went down the hall and found this family standing in the hall, with a crowd of people circling them. It was like Angels were singing. I sat them down in my office and listened to their hearts. I left to start my own company a few weeks later. I never had the chance, or honor to work a Rochester record. But, I have been an eternal fan. I hope and pray they finally get their shot.
Hmm . . . the opportunity to comment on a James Metcalf comment . . . Metcalf is one of the key people who has promoted me as a John Hagee lookalike . . . hmm . . . what can I say about James Metcalf?
The Rochesters are probably my favorite group in the whole world. They are members of my church in Asheville NC (along with Squire Parsons). There CD's are great and hearing them live is even more incredible. All I have to say is you can't put a price on having a touch of God on your ministry.
The Rochesters are awesome! They are a great family with wonderful harmony. If you have never heard them in person you should really try and check them out. We look forward to seeing them in Henderson in July, for a 4th celebration. Keep up the good work family! God Bless you all!
the rochesters are the best group, by far, that i have had the priviledge, of hearing and being around, in years. they are very rare, in the aspect,that there spirit and there sound, is all they need to let you know who they are and where they stand. it seems most groups today are like most churches today, they have to add many entertaining factors to try to prove there relationship to god,and have to add alot of contemporary sound to cover there lack of talent,but this is not the case with the rochesters. thank God for the few pure groups that are left holding up the banner,for what is known as simply giving God the glory.
BEN is AWESOME. My favorite Musician!!!
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