Corn River is the debut album by the American band Blood Oranges, released in 1990.[2][3] The album is a mixture of country/bluesgrass covers and originals penned by Jim Ryan and Cheri Knight, who also share the vocal duties. The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4] Their arrangement of "High on a Mountaintop" served as the basis for Marty Stuart's version.[5]
Critical reception
The Boston Globe said that Corn River "is a stunner—glowing with male/ female harmonies reminiscent of Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris duets, along with some country rock and overdrive mandolin that make this a crossover marvel."[8] The Rocket noted that it "covers a lot of ground, without inconsistencies or misbegotten attempts at clever diversity."[9] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called the band "the only effective rock/bluegrass fusion band around."[10] The Winston-Salem Journal labeled the music "a delightful, almost surreal hybrid of hillbilly hoedowns, Anglo-style folk and the sort of rural rock 'n' roll identified with the Band."[11]
Track listing
| Title | Writer(s) |
|---|
| 1. | "Pounding Pipes" | | 2:45 |
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| 2. | "Heart of Mud" | | 2:46 |
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| 3. | "Baby Down" | | 2:34 |
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| 4. | "Shady Grove" | Traditional, Arr. by Blood Oranges | 2:50 |
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| 5. | "Little Maggie" | | 2:46 |
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| 6. | "Thief" | | 3:51 |
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| 7. | "High on a Mountaintop" | | 3:39 |
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| 8. | "Racehorse" | | 2:42 |
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| 9. | "Dig a Hole" | | 2:30 |
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| 10. | "Houseboat" | | 3:21 |
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| 11. | "Incinerator" | | 2:51 |
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| 12. | "Western Man" | | 3:26 |
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| 13. | "Time Takes Away" | | 4:16 |
|---|
References
- ^ a b Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Miller Freeman Books. p. 783.
- ^ Reilly, John E. (December 20, 1990). "Around the Horn". Daily Hampshire Gazette. p. 23.
- ^ Karas, Matty (May 10, 1991). "Roots Weekend Recipe". Asbury Park Press. p. B3.
- ^ Racine, Marty (August 1, 1991). "Pop music picks". Houston. Houston Chronicle. p. 3.
- ^ Schinder, Scott. "Blood Oranges". Trouser Press. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ "Corn River Review by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 646.
- ^ Morse, Steve (December 14, 1990). "Of more immediate appeal...". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 63.
- ^ McCaughey, Scott (January 1991). "Searchin' USA". The Rocket. No. 135. p. 26.
- ^ Pick, Steve (March 8, 1991). "From Funk to Bluegrass-Rock Fusion". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 4F.
- ^ Bumgardner, Ed (July 26, 1991). "Tangerine Dreams". Winston-Salem Journal. p. 34.