RED STAR EXPRESS will be at the BRUMDER MANSION June 3rd (Friday at 8 pm) June 4th (Saturday at 7 pm)

The Red Star Express Band is known for their Gospel and Folk Bluegrass Music Concerts.
June 3rd (Friday at 8 pm)  June 4th (Saturday at 7 pm)            ... Red Star Express         

YOU CAN MEET THE RED STAR EXPRESS MUSICIANS
AFTER THE CONCERT IN THE THEATER'S INTIMATE SETTING.         
For additional info and group information phone Monica... 414-218-2202

Members of RED STAR EXPRESS

              Mike Mathes - Guitar vocals
              Steve Nothem - Bass fiddle, Guitar
              Sally Sikora - vocals
              Galen "Tex" Hunt - Banjo, Dojo, vocals
              Eldon Klein - Guitar, Vocals
              Sue Woodward - Fiddle, Vocals
              Chris Jost - Guitar
              Gerry Jost - Mandolin, harp, Vocals

              DEDICATION: We dedicate this Gospel Express recording to the Glory of God.

              Themes of these Gospel hymns, anthems and ballads.

Accepting Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, our sin sacrifice and belonging to Him.

DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE  *ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD * I SAW THE LIGHT *AMAZING GRACE * DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY

Depending    on and trusting in the Lord Jesus to see us through life's storms / to    mold us and make us more              like Himself - (These songs talk about different, faithful                aspects of the Lord)

BE THOU MY VISION * HE LEADETH ME * KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE * SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME * PASS ME NOT GENTLE SAVIOR             

Believers              looking forward to going home to a place of peace and love, Heaven, to have eternal life with Jesus Christ.(God's promises to us, as His children) .

ANGEL BAND * I'LL FLY AWAY * WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN *  LET US TRAVEL, TRAVEL ON

Music Review of Gospel Express

              What a wonderful collection of folk and classic Southern Bluegrass     Gospel ballads and 2 well-known hymns!  All the ballads, anthems and     hymns are played with poignancy, gusto and spirit, in the intricate     Bluegrass style that Red Star Express has surely mastered in their own     renditions of these uplifting songs. These powerful Gospel tunes were     originally written and performed by such talented songwriters/artists     Gilmore & Bradbury, John Newton, Carter Family, Fanny Crosby,     Bradbury and Haskall, Hoffman, Louvin Brothers, Hank Williams, Albert  Brumley, and Ada Habershon &  Entwisle/Carter    Family. Other songs'  on the album come from unknown songwriters who    lived in Appalachia, the  birthplace of American Bluegrass music.

              Singing and playing from the heart, and inspired by the Holy Spirit,     the members of Red Star Express so fully "express", on several   levels,   the hope, love and peace of the Lord Jesus in volumes to the   listener   through their music.  During my recovery from knee   replacement surgery,   their Gospel Express CD was one of my favorite   albums that gave me not   only a variety of interesting song   compositions, musical bluegrass  style  interludes between the verses,   and soothing inspiring harmonies  and  vocals to listen to and absorb,   taking my mind off the pain, but  also  bolstered my faith and love for   the Lord, filling me with God's  peace  and encouragement, which in turn   lessened the stress and anxiety  of the  whole experience as I depended on the Lord to get me through  the  challenging hoops of recovery.

              It's hard to know where to  start, as this album has everything that I    love about Christian  Bluegrass: Meaningful lyrical messages, presented    so well by strong,  dynamic, spirited, inspired vocals, and clear,    supportive harmonies,  terrific arrangements of inspiring, hopeful    Gospel  with a variety of  moods & tempos, and a well executed,    dynamic presentation of each  song's musical composition!

              Lets   take a look at the marvelous,  Bluegrass Gospel sound generated by a    talented group of  instrumentalists, who are filled with the Spirit, and    work as a team to  the glory of the Lord.   Red Star Express' own    arrangements, done in  their own Bluegrass Gospel  style, truly capture   the energy, emotion,  hope and spirit of each of the  songs  presented   so well on this album.

              Christian   Country and Bluegrass Gospel songs have  traditionally been  propelled   and              supported by guitar or  acoustic ensembles, with other    instruments like fiddles and harmonicas  added for spice, though the   main  stars that shine in Gospel songs are  the lyrical messages and the   vocals  that are the featured musical  elements in this genre. While   this is true  in this collection of songs,  when the vocals are   presenting the lyrical  messages,  the instrumental talents and   gifts of the members of Red Star Express are also showcased in the   song  introductions, the interludes between  verses,  and some of the   tags of  the songs, as well the inter-connected,  solid musical    accompaniment that supports the vocals.

              It certainly  takes   teamwork as all the musical accompaniment must flow  as one.  Yet,    individual performances are delicately distinct in either  the back-up    counter  melodies, rhythm stabilizers or as lead melody voices in the    intros, or  interludes between verses. Whether one hears a fast-paced,    robust ballad  or anthem with a cookin' tempo, or a slower, beautiful    arrangement,  with simpler accompaniment of a classic hymn, the sound is    always  inspiring and brightens the spirit of the listener.

The playing of 8th and 16th    note counter melodies; sometimes with doted  rhythms at a fast, lively    pace sounds like it is so easy, though this  bell player with less    talent knows better.  The Bluegrass sound has  always fascinated me,    since I was a child in the pre-dawn era. On the  faster-paced-spirited    songs, it is amazing to me on how 7 people  can come together and create    such lively inner voices on their  instrument of expertise, precise    music that complements not only each  other, but supports and provides    the steady tempo for the main melody,  carried by either a lead    instrument in the interludes, or the  vocalist/vocalists who are    carrying the melody and singing the verses.

              Fast-to-medium   paced  anthems and ballads on this album that fit into  this category:   (ARE YOU  WASHED IN THE BLOOD *  KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE *  SOMEBODY   TOUCHED ME *  PASS ME NOT GENTLE SAVIOR *  I SAW THE LIGHT *   I'LL FLY   AWAY * WILL  THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN *  LET US TRAVEL, TRAVEL ON *  HE LEADETH ME).

HE LEADETH  ME (Based on Psalm 23:1-3) (Words by Joseph  Gilmore, music by William  Bradbury, 1864.)

                RED STAR EXPRESS presents  this long popular hymn as a  song of hope   and thankfulness, which surely  cheers up the listener, who  is facing a   challenge of life.

Begins reverently with an a capella    rendition of the refrain;Very legato  and beautiful 4 PART Gospel.     Banjo jumps in with a perky introduction,  beginning the spirit of joy    and thankfulness that flows with enthusiasm  throughout the    accompaniment and vocals. Banjo, mandolin and guitar  offer spirited    accompaniment, as background musical support for the  joyful female    vocals and the equally enthusiastic back up vocals in the  refrain.     Banjo and mandolin take turns in the interlude between 2nd and  3rd verses.  Ends with an a capella rendition of the chorus.

PASS ME NOT GENTLE SAVIOR (By Fanny Crosby).  Prayer ballad of a person   asking for help from Jesus in overcoming unbelief.

Begins   slowly with   the intro by an expressive violin in the first few   measures, to introduce   this beautiful prayer of petition. Banjo,   harmonica and other voices   join in at moderate lively pace, setting   the tempo and melody  for the   smooth lead vocals, and trio voices   backup chorus. First interlude   features the mandolin and harmonica    Second Interlude a lively violin    and mandolin play a verse of the   melody  between 2nd and 3rd verse. Last  interlude features the banjo.

WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN- (Originally written by Ada   Habershon, song was rearranged by A.P. Carter.)              

What a great song of  hope  about seeing loved ones eventually when we   go home to be with the   Lord. Ballad tells the story of a family  who    bury their mother who died, and how they cheered themselves up,  holding    onto the promise of eternal life. As believers in Christ, they  all    eventually will wind up in heaven, and sing together again the  Gospel    songs that Mother Mabel (Carter's relative) taught them.                                          

This wildly joyous composition begins with a lively banjo and     mandolin duet melody intro, which takes off in energy and joy in both     the musical accompaniment, and the vocals, as each member of RED STAR     EXPRESS sings a verse, telling the story of sorrow and how the grieving   family sang to   be strong, remembering the promises of God.                               

Each instrument  takes turns playing a solo reprise of the melody in   the  interludes  between the many verses.  The bass fiddle was very    impressive, as I  didn't know that this instrument could play that many    notes so fast!!!   RED STAR EXPRESS plays this song as their ending    number at all their  concerts, to remind all that they are all part of    the Lord's circle.

Though I   fell in love with all of the songs presented on this  album;(hook, line   and sinker), finding each to be unique and quite  entertaining   and   moving, the four, fast-paced songs that cheered me up the most  were, SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME, ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD, KEEP ON THE  SUNNY    SIDE and I'LL FLY AWAY. These are great examples of comforting  and    uplifting Bluegrass, as they are full of jubilation, spirit and  hope,    musically precise in their presentation, and have lively  Bluegrass counter-melodies, strongly heard in the interludes between  verses,    supporting the solo instruments.  Each of these instruments  take a   turn,  expressing  the melody introduction or melody in the  intro and   musical  interlude  between verses.

SOMEBODY   TOUCHED ME -  (Traditional Bluegrass Gospel). The words remind us that   at many turns  in life we are touched by the hand of the Lord. Lord is   with us through  all our challenges.  We love and shine because God first loved us.  We  can look forward to going home to heaven.

This  spirited, movin'    version gets the ball rolling, with a peppy banjo intro, soon to be    joined by the rousing ensemble of mandolin, guitar, violin, bass guitar.    Mandolin and violin each take a turn, leading the melody line in the   interlude.  After covering the two verses of  this song, the composition   seamlessly  segues into the first verse of  the song, "THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE." Banjo takes a turn during the following interlude. Again they seamlessly segue into the first verse of DO LORD.  Then, there is another musical romp through the chorus to a grand finish!

I'LL FLY AWAY (1931-Alfred Brumley)  - Reminder that our earthly death leads to "everlasting glory" with Christ. (John 3:16)

Song   begins with a  burst of energy, starting with the violin!  Violin,   mandolin, banjo all  entertain the listener, each taking a turn  with   the melody in the  interludes. Guitar and bass are equally busy    providing strong support!   Smoke must come out of the ensemble when    this song is played. 8th and 16th notes are flying in tempo, and all    the various instrumental voices  come together in a magnificent way, providing a spirited accompaniment  for equally spirited vocals.

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD  -({Revelations 7:14}, 1878-Elisha A    Hoffman) Our sins are forgiven through the sacrifice of God's only Son.

This   long-time, Bluegrass  favorite features spirited and  joyful    accompaniment, with an energetic  ensemble, especially the inspiring    banjo and mandolin that contribute a  smokin' performance in the    interlude! Accompaniment  truly expresses  the joy and thankfulness of   being saved from sin  through Jesus Christ.  The vocals match the energy   of the accompaniment -  WOW, what a song of  inspiration!!

KEEP   ON THE SUNNY SIDE -(1899- Ada Blenkhornm,   music by J. Howard    Entwisle, later made popular by A.P.Carter and  Family, becoming their    signature song.)

Reminds us not only to keep a positive attitude and outlook; (keep    things on the bright side), but to trust in Jesus our Savior always,    "For He keeps us all in His care, not matter the hardships or trials we    face" in this world.

Song  begins with a ball of    energetic sound, thanks to the talents of very  busy banjo and mandolin    players, and equally inspired guitar and bass,  that together get this    performance off to a roaring start!!  Energy  never slows down,   providing  a spirited, heart-lifting accompaniment.  Also enjoyed the   energetic  harmonica and violin duet in the first  interlude, and their    contributions in the 2nd verse.

The more poignant, beautiful songs that require a quieter ensemble are     equally effective and moving.(AMAZING GRACE * ANGEL BAND * BE THOU MY     VISION * DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE)

DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE (1924-Written by Charles Earnest Moody for his group, Georgia Yellow Hammers.)

                Reminds the listener that through Jesus we can find shelter from all of life's storms and dangers.

Has a simple yet effective accompaniment in 3/4 meter, as it is     performed as a Southern Gospel, 4 part harmony altar call hymn; strong,     dynamic in sound and moving. Intro is carried by guitar and mandolin,     setting the slower pace and intro of the melody.  Song accompaniment   is basically the   guitar, that sets the chordal support and rhythm.    The Lead vocals,   the supportive harmony from the other 3 singers, and   the Gospel  message  are the main emphasis throughout the song, written   for outreach efforts  to  unbelievers and seekers on the wrong path.

AMAZING  GRACE (1779-John Newton) - Sums up doctrine of Divine grace.

This   3/4 metered version of a classic  hymn  for the ages, begins with a   lovely, poignant violin solo, that  plays  through a whole verse,   setting the tone and reverent aura of this   hymn.  Guitar, mandolin,   banjo, bass join in an ensemble effort for a second   verse of the   melody, setting the stage for the wonderful female duet,   who sing the   first and fourth verses. Musical accompaniment is flowing  and  very   pretty, giving a beautiful rendition accompaniment, soothing  to the    mind and spirit.

First interlude between verses one hears    the mandolin as soloist,  followed by the guitar, who plays the third    verse.  Vocalists sing the  fourth verse, ensemble plays, and then the    violin ends the song with a  final run through of the melody.

ANGEL BAND and BE THOU MY VISION are my two favorites out of this group of songs.

ANGEL BAND-(Luke 16:22), 1860-William Bradbury & Jefferson Hascall.

This ballad, about a dying woman's anticipation about going home to be     with the Lord, flows peacefully along in 3/4 meter, with lovely    mandolin,  violin, guitar and bass fiddle the main ensemble that so    nicely  provides musical accompaniment for the heart-felt vocal    presentation of  the lyrics, as they capture the peace and joy of    crossing over to  heaven via angels. Love the mandolin and guitar    introduction, and the  little interludes in between verses.  Mandolin is    especially touching,  delicate and enjoyable as the intro to the   verses.

BE THOU MY VISION -The music in this hymn is the ancient Irish folk tune, Slane, a ballad that told of the vialant fight & victory by Saint Patrick over the pagans.  The text was written in the 6th century by Dallan Forgaill, and long had been an established reading in Irish monasteries. Around the    turn of  the century, Mary Byrne   translated it into English. In 1912,  Miss  Eleanor Henrietta Hull   "versified" the text, creating verses that  are  most commonly sung   today.  In 1927, Welch composer, David Evans,  put  Hull's verses with   the Slane folk tune, thus creating the powerful  prayer hymn, BE THOU MY   VISION.

Begins reverently, with a beautiful melody intro done by a   delicate   duet between guitar and mandolin, with banjo in background,   setting   the 3/4 meter tempo of the song. Lovely violin and flute duet in   the   interlude between the first and second verse, reprising the melody,  is   soothing to the spirit.  What lovely accompaniment for the powerful,    poignant vocal duet.

Let's talk about the fabulous vocals heard in this collection of songs!!!

Not only are  the song compositions a delight to listen to and absorb,    but also all  the vocal presentations of the themes of this Gospel   album  are very  entertaining and very effective in revitalizing the   stressed  and  hurting. The inspiring lead vocals and  harmonies of the   various  choruses/refrains are also most enjoyable, most uplifting and   do a   great job presenting  the spirit and meaning of the wonderful   Gospel  messages, written so  long ago that uplifted and encouraged   people facing  the problems and  tragedies of life.             

The members   of RED STAR EXPRESS present the  vocals, using traditional  harmony   styles found in the Appalachian  mountains and throughout the South,   where most of  these songs  originated. All have strong breath control,   great diction,  are always  on key, and have effective musical   instincts, have understanding on  how to use  dynamics and other tools   of musicians. Whether singing 4 part, 3 part   or 2 part Gospel harmony,   mountain-style duet/ group harmony, solo and  backup  voices, or  a capella,   the emotion and spirit of each song are  perfectly presented  in a   dynamic fashion, with the result of the  meanings of the Gospel  themes   being brought to life, front and center.    One can tell that they    really believe the messages they are  presenting, as they sing from    their hearts, full of the love of the  Lord.  It is no wonder that their    vocals are soothing, uplifting and  encouraging.