Performer Notes

Personnel: Donna Hughes (piano); Tim Stafford, Tony Rice (guitar); Rob Ickes (dobro); Scott Vestal (banjo); Rickie Simpkins, Sam Bush, Wayne Benson (mandolin); Ron Stewart (fiddle).
Liner Note Authors: Tony Rice; Donna Hughes; Barry Bales.
Recording information: Bias Recording Company, Springfield, VA; Hilltop Studios.
Authors: Tony Rice; Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Photographer: David McClister.
Singer and songwriter Donna Hughes makes her national debut with this very enjoyable album, Gaining Wisdom, produced by guitar legend Tony Rice and featuring a stellar cast of sidemen who include mandolinist Sam Bush, dobro player Rob Ickes and fiddler Ron Stewart, among others. The lineup might lead you to expect a relatively straightforward bluegrass album, but what you get is something quite a bit more complex -- a really quite modern country album played on acoustic instruments, some of the songs (notably a fun arrangement of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and the modern but old-fashioned "Where Are You Darlin'?") heading off into traditional bluegrass territory but many others exploring more contemporary country styles. Hughes' voice is lovely, she's a very talented songwriter, and the arrangements are wonderful -- the only thing one might complain about on this album is a certain emotional flatness in her delivery. When she sings "What I'm Looking For," it doesn't actually sound like she's been looking all that hard, and the hard-luck portrait "Bottom of a Glass" is sung in a strangely jaunty manner. Her affect seems just a bit off through most of the record, but it's still a very enjoyable listen and a promising debut. ~ Rick Anderson

Professional Reviews

Dirty Linen (p.72) - "It's a solid project, showcasing both Hughes' inventive and wide-ranging writing skill and her flexible soprano."

No Depression (p.121) - "[The album] seems both comforting and familiar even after a single listen. Producer Tony Rice creates a warm and intimate setting for Hughes' deeply personal narratives."

Fishpond works with suppliers all over the world to bring you a huge selection of products, really great prices, and delivery included on over 25 million products that we sell. We do our best every day to make Fishpond an awesome place for customers to shop and get what they want — all at the best prices online.

About Fishpond

You can earn a 8% commission by selling Gaining Wisdom * on your website. It's easy to get started - we will give you example code. After you're set-up, your website can earn you money while you work, play or even sleep! You should start right now!

Are you the Author or Publisher of a book? Or the manufacturer of one of the millions of products that we sell. You can improve sales and grow your revenue by submitting additional information on this title. The better the information we have about a product, the more we will sell!

Submit Information