For a time, No One You Know was lighting up the bluegrass world, and getting to the point where the name was becoming something of an irony given their popularity. Based in West Virginia, the group is anchored by the lead vocals, which are switched off between Rachel Burge and Don Anderson.
No One You Know has something of an indefinable quality that they bring to their music as shown on Calm Before The Storm. Burge’s vocals are wonderful, and she is a high point of many of the songs, whether she is on lead or harmony. But the overall vocal caliber of the group is superb. “Looking For A Sign” and the gospel tune “Just Over The Blue” have Burge in all her glory, while the title track comes in a close second to those. By comparison, Anderson is gruffer and in some sense less confident. But still he turns out what is arguably the best song on the album with “We Don’t Love Here Anymore.”
“West Virginia In My Rearview” is one of those “leaving home” songs that is designed to tug at the heartstrings, but it also uses as its backdrop the challenge of growing up in a rural West Virginia coal mining town. “In Her Prayers” takes the leaving thing to another level with the prodigal son character leaving home and things go terribly wrong. Finally, Bruce Jones turns out a beautiful solo piece “Peaceful Journey” on the resophonic guitar. Ironically, the reso guitar was frowned upon in bluegrass music decades ago, much like the electric bass is still. But as tastes have changed, this beautiful instrument has become a solid staple in the genre, and Jones demonstrates it well.
At this writing, No One You Know has broken up, which is a shame since they did so at what seemed to be moment of their best success. Burge has formed her own group, and there have been some rumors about a possible reincarnation in some form. Whether they regroup or a new version is created, Calm Before The Storm has a place as a great piece of Americana music.
