Listening to The Pleasant Family was a pleasant experience. Now that the obligatory "pleasant" joke is out of the way, let us get to the review. Let me say first of all I am grateful to the band for sending me all three of their projects, all produced within the last three years. This Florida string band has been busy. Instead of reviewing each CD separately, I will let one review apply to all three, mostly because there is a consistency of sound and style, even though I believe they had one personnel change along the way.

Of course, old timey, string band music consisting of traditional fiddle tunes and standards is high on my list of favorite music genres and the spark which led to the formation of Stringband.com. As soon as the first track began to play I knew I was in for a pleasant experience. As described in the liner notes the fiddle of Lauren Mayeux tends to be the focal point for most of the band's offerings. But the sound is rounded out by the rest of the traditional instrumentation, guitar, mandolin, claw hammer banjo, and bass. I will admit, though, after a while of listening, the fiddle becomes a bit overpowering. And some of that may just be in the mix itself, which overall is fine, but there are few times when the bass is almost nonexistent. Yet, do not let that discourage you from purchasing their music, because for the most part the mix is fine. It is really a matter of personal preference for this reviewer concerning mix. The listener is even treated to a few vocals.

Even though I have never heard The Pleasant Family in person, I do believe the true sound and personality of the band is pleasantly captured in their recordings. And I would guess that a live performance offers the listener even more in a good ole fashioned string band experience. Finally to round out this great collection of music is some very professional packaging, with lots of color and pictures of the band, as well as biographical information and clever design and layout. Check out The Pleasant Family today. You will be pleased to have found them.