The Special Consensus 35 Audio CD, 35th Anniversary Bluegrass Album

The Audio CD 35 celebrates Special Consensus’s 35th anniversary with a bluegrass collection that brings new recordings together with selections from the band’s earlier releases. It is the group’s tenth release, offering a way to hear both fresh material and tracks drawn from releases that are now out of print.

The lineup features founder Greg Cahill, Rick Faris, David Thomas, and Ryan Roberts, alongside vocals from former members on selected tracks.

What matters most

The album pairs six new tracks with six selections compiled from earlier Special Consensus releases. That mix gives the listening experience two angles: newer material from the anniversary-era lineup and songs that trace the group’s earlier history. The selected older tracks come from releases that are now out of print, and some feature lead vocals by notable former members of the band.

Special Consensus is a Chicago-based bluegrass group, and 35 marks a significant milestone in its recording history as its tenth release. For listeners choosing between a collection of entirely new material and an archival set, this CD offers a blend of both. It can also serve as a focused introduction to the band’s work across different points in its career, without being limited to one lineup or one release period.

Tips for day-to-day use

As an Audio CD, 35 suits a listening session centered on the album as a whole or a few tracks at a time. Its combination of new and previously released selections makes it easy to move between the anniversary material and songs representing earlier chapters of the group’s catalog. For a bluegrass playlist, the album can provide both current-era tracks and selected material from recordings that are no longer in print.

Getting the most from it

Listen for the contrast between the six new tracks and the six selections from earlier releases. The latter also bring former members’ lead vocals into the collection, adding another perspective on the band’s history. With founder Greg Cahill joined by Rick Faris, David Thomas, and Ryan Roberts, the album connects the group’s anniversary lineup with its longer path as a recording band.

A practical way to approach 35 is to play it straight through first, then return to the selections that stand out. That lets the newer and archival material sit together as one anniversary release while making it simple to revisit favorite tracks. It’s a great fit if you want a single Special Consensus CD that combines new songs with selected recordings from the band’s earlier catalog.

Should you buy it?

Choose 35 if you want a bluegrass album that does more than present only new material or only previously released tracks. Its six new songs, six selections from now out-of-print releases, and anniversary context make it a useful pick for longtime listeners exploring the band’s history as well as listeners looking for a substantial introduction to Special Consensus. The Audio CD format keeps the focus on a complete album experience, with material from the group’s current and former members represented in one release.