NW Bluegrass News Mag July/2000: Butch Waller: Golden Gate Promenade

Butch Waller: Golden Gate Promenade

By Ivon Evans

Rebel Reb-Cd-1755

Tracks: Golden Gate Promenade / Danny Boy / Bluegrass Stomp / Golden Gate Waltz / Watson Blues / Pike County Breakdown / Rosine / Soldier's Joy / Faded Love / The Fox And The Geese / Blue Moon Of Kentucky / Smoky Mountain Schottische / When You And I Were Young, Maggie / Climbing Up The Canyon

Musicians: Butch Waller (mando), Steve Pottier (bass, guitar), Tom Bekeny (fiddle, mando), Kathy Kallick, Jim Nunally and Bob Waller (guitar), Sandy Rothman, Keith Little, Larry Cohea, Herb Pederson and Avram Siegel (banjo), Laurie Lewis, Amy Stenberg and Glenn Dauphin (bass). Ed Neff and Bryan Godchaux (fiddle) and Jim Mintuin (dobro).

THIS IS A 14 TRACK mandolin instrumental CD by lifelong San Franciscan Butch Waller. Butch formed High Country in 1968 - it's still going strong and both current and former members of help him out on this CD. The full line up of musicians are:

Normally I would find a mandolin CD a bit boring, but it definitely isn't here. It is good, interesting and features a lot of brilliant musicians all having a good time. There are five Butch Waller originals and the rest include traditional tunes covering various writers from Bill Monroe to Bob Wills.

My favourite track is Pike County Breakdown, featuring Butch on mandolin, Laurie Lewis on bass, Jim Nunally on guitar Herb Pederson on banjo and Ed Neff on fiddle. Moving at a blistering pace, it's one of the best versions that I've ever heard. My second favourite track is Faded Love with Butch, Amy Stenberg, Jim Nunally, Steve Potter (guitar) and Jim Mintuin - this Bob Wills tune has never sounded better. Another standout is a very lively version of Bill Monroe's Blue Moon of Kentucky featuring Butch, Amy Stenberg, Jim Nunally and Sandy Rothman.

There isn't really a poor track on the CD but the pick of the rest include old Bill Monroe dance tune Smoky Mountain Schottische (with just Butch and Jim Nunally), and Danny Boy (featuring Butch, Laurie, Jim Nunally and Bob Waller). Helping Butch on a fine version of the old Monroe favourite Bluegrass Stomp are Keith Little, Laurie, Jim Nunally and Tom Bekeny (fiddle). The pick of the 'originals' are title track Golden Gate Promenade, Golden Gate Waltz and a tribute to Bill Monroe, Rosine.

All in all an outstanding release and well worth a listen!

Ivon Evans, Sunderland

28 June 2000