“This CD features Rhonda's fine vocals, wonderful piano accompaniments and some excellent songwriting, showcasing an environmental sensibility, never more in evidence than in the title track, "One Earth," a song eloquent in its direct simplicity. Sparky and Rhonda's musical roots are clear, with excellent and beautifully crafted arrangements born out of the gospel, blues and country music traditions of their home in East Tennessee, making full use of the sounds of guitar, banjo, harmonica, and piano, and their two voices carrying evocative and emotive melodies, sometimes driving, sometimes gentle. Their son Jamey garners recognition for his excellent art and graphic work. All in all, it's a superb collection.”
Greg Artzner,
Magpie

“This delightful new CD from Sparky and Rhonda Rucker represents the further growth in the musical and life partnership of these two amazing musicians. For one thing, it showcases the songwriting of Rhonda Rucker for the first time, taking their combined music in a new direction. Her songs reveal her concern for humanity, touching on the environment, the tragic health care situation (Rhonda was trained as a doctor!), a Civil War narrative as seen through the eyes of a southern soldier, and a particularly beautiful song about aging, written in a traditional Appalachian/British style (on which Rhonda plays dulcimer). The remaining five tracks are reworkings of some of Sparky’s classic blues and country-tinged songs, sung in his unique, Sparky-Rucker style, two of which are based on the lives of real, though unsung, African-American heroes. Their combined musicality is stunning and wonderful to hear – we can’t recommend this latest offering from the Ruckers highly enough!”
Barbara and Graham Dean,
WBCR-FM Radio, Great Barrington, MA

"Recent releases by the Ruckers have featured traditional songs and songs in the traditional style. One Earth, though, contains a dozen original songs – seven by Rhonda and five by Sparky – several of which are new recordings of songs released on earlier albums. The recording is more contemporary in sound, but definitely not pop. While Sparky accompanies on guitar, Rhonda is a virtual one person band on harmonica, piano, banjo and mountain dulcimer. Charlie Rhynhart contributes bass, and there’s occasional tenor sax, fiddle and mandolin from others on this self-produced recording.
As you might assume from the title, the overarching theme concerns our planet and the need to respect and appreciate it. That doesn’t preclude love songs and songs of broken hearts, or a reprise of Sparky’s “My Blues,” from his first recording in 1972, as well as a few other older songs. “Winter Is Nigh” is a perceptive and chilling song about aging; you’re young one day, and then “youth fades fast.” “Silas McGee” is a colorful tale Sparky released on two earlier albums about Gerald Ford’s black high school football teammate and the cordial relationship the two had after Ford became president. The song relates some of McGee’s eccentricities that brought him national prominence. “Hard As Stone” distressingly tells of a hospital emergency room that turns away a hit-and-run victim who lacks insurance. A medical doctor, Rhonda writes of what she knows. The Ruckers create a very intimate sound, as if you’re sharing a private studio session with them. Even when Sparky is letting go with a blues, there’s gentleness in their playing. Music is their life and it clearly comes through in this recording."
Rich Warren,
Sing Out! Magazine