The Acme Band Raise The Roof
 By Graham Lees
December 2002
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CD Review |
Band history | The Acme Band certainly raised the roof when Christine Mannion arranged a charity night in aide of work being done on the church spire at St James The Less, at Rothenstall, Lancashire. In a bid to help raise the £40,000 needed, Christine booked one of Britain's best bluegrass bands. Bluegrass fans came from far and near to lend their support one Saturday evening in November. A good crowd turned out… was it the band, or was it the potato pie supper, that attracted them?? Ron Stevens (mandolin) has had to retire from the band due to health reasons, but the remaining four members, Brian Curtis (vocals/guitar), John Allen (vocals/bass), Bob Armstrong (vocals/Dobro) and Bill Foster (vocals/banjo) held the floor amiably. The evening was one long to remembered as the band gave us two roaring sets of bluegrass and gospel music.
A few amusing anecdotes from Brian interspersed the magical numbers that they performed for us drawing on the likes of Georgia Mules and Country Boys and Someone Like You telling of a first lost love. Reaching back to 1952 Band when Jim & Jesse McReynolds recorded the Louvin Brothers' song Are You Missing Me, the Acme gave us their own stunning version. Offering a most diverse repertoire, the Acme Band included a little cowboy music with Way Out There complete with yodelling, mixed a Mexican style with bluegrass, threw in a couple of Buddy Holly's numbers and did a spectacular version of Tim O'Brien/Pat Alger's Like I Used To Do. The highlight of the evening is when the guys lay their instruments to one side to sing a cappella on several gospel numbers. Their harmonies are simply sensational with Brian's voice lifting higher than the ceiling and John Allen's down in the basement on the likes of My Rock. One of the best nights attended in 2002 with top quality music from one of Britain's top bluegrass bands. Graham Lees, Dewesbury, W.Yorks
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