Trouble Free

AMG Review of Trouble Free

Michael McCall
All Music Guide

Rhonda Vincent is a luegrass prodigy who has been a favorite on the string band festival circuit for years. Her 1994 album for Giant Records found her being pushed a little too forcibly toward the country mainstream; still, on occasion, the specialness of her hard-country twang shined through. With Trouble Free, she fulfills her promise with soaring beauty. Co-producer (and Giant Records chief) James Stroud backs off and allows Vincent to explore a raditional country terrain that encompasses the fierce, severe magnificence of luegrass and the sorrowful whine of honky tonk heartbreak. Vincent excels at both, showing the same kind of hard, soulful splendor that Keith Whitley displayed when he evolved from luegrass to raditional country. Vincent's guests pretty much define her tastes: She performs a duet with Randy Travis -- in his best performance in years -- and, elsewhere, enjoys harmony support from Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton. Vincent and Krauss have been linked for years (Vincent was one a runner-up in a luegrass contest that Krauss won). Krauss' commercial success certainly helped renew Giant's belief that Vincent, too, could attract a larger mainstream audience. But the two aren't that similar as vocalists. Where Krauss' voice is sweet and pure, Vincent's is twangy and aggressive. What they share is a commitment to musical integrity.