Bluegrass In Review
By Tim Farrell,
4419: 49th Ave. Bonnyville, Alberta, T9N 1G9.
Write to
Tim
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Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time:
Murder On Music Row In 1992 marked the first of three releases by Larry Cordle and Stuart Duncan with their band Lonesome Standard Time. All were very good recordings, receiving air play and critical acclaim. But that was then. The new incarnation of the group still features Larry Cordle with his trademark vocals, solid guitar work and world class song writing. Lonesome Standard Time is an all new group featuring Terry Eldridge upright bass and harmony tenor vocals, Booie Beech lead guitar, Fred Carpenter fiddle, David Harvey mandolin and David Talbot banjo. Two of the songs on this CD have received a lot of publicity "Black Diamond Strings" and "Murder On Music Row". They are both strong, quality songs and set the tone for the entire album. The instrumental work, the three part harmony of Cordle, Eldridge and Talbot, the song selection (which includes 8 that Cordle had a hand in writing) and the production are all top notch. Plus, as an added bonus all the words to the songs are included in the liner notes so you can sing along. Top to bottom a first rate album that you must have.
The Rarely Herd:
Part Of Growing Up It's hard to believe that The Rarely Herd have been recording for Pinecastle for almost 10 years now and this is their sixth quality project during this time. The main reason for their consistency has been the Stack brothers, Jim guitar/vocals, Alan mandolin, fiddle and baritone vocals plus Jeff Weaver bass guitar and tenor vocals. This trio has been the backbone of the band since its start. Ned Luberecki on banjo and bass vocals is the newcomer and completes the band. Special guest Rob Ickes adds some tasteful resophonic guitar work on eight tracks and Carl Jackson adds guitar on his "A Part Of Growing Up". All of the instrumental work is mighty fine but is the vocal work that sets this group apart. It has long been a standard in bluegrass for brother harmonies to shine and the Stack brothers are no exception. Weaver's voice is a perfect fit for some impressive three-part work and Luberecki sings bass on the two gospel selections for some nice four-part singing. Some of the best examples of their tight harmonies are on "A Sinner's Plea", "Gone But Not Forgotten" and "Steel Town".
George Shuffler
& James Alan Shelton: The Legacy Continues The title of this CD by guitar wizards George Shuffler and James Alan Shelton, refers to the legacy of cross-picking guitar style that has been a part of the "Stanley Brother's" sound for more than 30 years. George Shuffler introduced this sound on the Stanley's early King Records of the 60's. A string of excellent guitar players followed Shuffler in the Clinch Mountain Boys culminating with James Alan Shelton who holds the job today. When Ralph Stanley's regular bass player took some sick leave, Shuffler was hired to fill in. During this stint with the band the idea for this recording was born. Both of these musicians are extremely adept at the cross-picking style and it would be difficult to tell where one started and the other left off. For most of the tunes they simply take turns picking out the verses and Shuffler later overdubs the bass parts. All of the tunes are of a slow to medium tempo as they sacrifice flash for a clean distinct sound. Top picks on this CD include "True Life Blues", "Banks Of The Ohio" and the Shuffler original "Old Leather". If you enjoy guitar cross picking here is you chance to hear two of the best together on one CD.
Various Artists:
Red, White &
Bluegrass "Red, White & Bluegrass" is a real slice of Americana, assembled by CMH featuring a wide assortment of bluegrass artists. All of the songs have something to do with the USA. The songs are all either popular American patriotic standards or ballads/ditties that mention a particular state of the union in their title. Therefore all are well known standards. Charlie Cushman and Randy Howard provided and interesting version of "Star Spangled Banner" while Star Spangled Band gives a bluegrass send up to "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "America, The Beautiful". The remaining 12 songs have all become well-known bluegrass classics and feature some of the artists that made them famous. "Cincinnati Ohio", "Georgia Piney Woods" and "I'm Going Back To Old Kentucky" are three cuts from the Osborne Brothers. Merl Travis does some picking and singing on "Alabama Jubilee", "Peach Pickin' Time In Georgia" and "There Ain't A Cow In Texas". Other notable names include Josh Graves, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse and Eddie Adcock. Don't just save this disc for the 4th of July, enjoy it any time of the year.
Kruger Brothers:
Carolina Scrapbook The Kruger Brothers are Jens banjo, Uwe guitar and Joel Landsberg Dobro f-bass. They are quite popular in Europe and have also made a name for themselves on this side of the Atlantic as well. When they first played in North Carolina in 1997 they fell in love with that part of the country and returned to play and visit several times. The short story of the birth of this album is that they had three weeks to kill between gigs. At MerleFest '99 they made arrangements with friends and peers who were available to record over that break. Next they made up a make shift recording studio in a friends garage and started this project. The first two discs are for the most part straight ahead bluegrass featuring the trio performing with Michael Cleveland, Maynard Holbrook, Clint Howard, Jim Brooks, Moondi Klein, Wayne Henderson or Tut Taylor. The third disc called "scraps" is also very good but for a different reason. Eight cuts are true bluegrass, the rest are out takes, jokes and short stories, like the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" albums. This is an excellent collection with almost 2½ hours of entertainment, including some great music, funny stories and insights.
The Karl Shiflett
and Big Country Show: In Living
Color This band has received a lot of attention for their live performances. Decked out in 50's style suits and ties with two tone shoes, they perform the meat of their show weaving around a single mike, recreating the look and sound of a bluegrass band from forty years ago. And it is their sound that they are true to on this recording. One mike was set up for the bass plus two auxiliary mikes set up to create a stereo sound. The singing and all of the lead breaks were played into a single vintage ribbon microphone. This arrangement, plus the fact that all songs were recorded live with no overdubs, gives a true performance feel to this project. Karl Shiflett guitar and lead vocals, his son Kris bass, Lyle Meador mandolin and Jake Jenkins on banjo make up the core of the band and collectively contribute eight originals to this CD. Of these "Jakebrakes", "It's Fall Again" and "The Day I Met An Angel" could all easily become standards for years to come. They may have the look and sound of yesterday, but they are breathing new life into the traditional bluegrass sound of today.
Carl Jackson:
Songs Of The South Starting at the age of 13 Carl Jackson has made an impact on bluegrass music. From his start playing banjo in his father's band he has entertained us for the last 35 years with his banjo, guitar, songwriting and singing abilities. Along the way he has performed with the likes of Jim and Jesse, Glen Campbell, Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill. In 1991 he won a Grammy for his collaboration with John Starling and the Nash Ramblers. This CD is a compilation of two Sugar Hill albums "Song Of The South" and "Banjo Man" released in 1982 and 1980 respectively. Of the twelve songs that come from Banjo Man most are instrumentals that showcase his banjo work while the four vocals from Song Of The South feature his smooth powerful vocals. Guest artists include Emmylou Harris, Jesse McReynolds, Marty Stuart, Vassar Clements, Keith Whitley and Jerry Douglas. Top picks include "Banjo Man" an original vocal composition dedicated to Earl Scruggs, "The Lonesome River" and "Earl's Breakdown". If you missed these two great albums the first time around here's your chance to catch up.
Keith Little: Distant
Land To Roam "Distant Land To Roam" is the debut solo album from Keith Little. Little is a much sought after studio musician for his versatility on numerous instruments as well as his singing/songwriting abilities. He has also toured as part of some big name bands including the Country Gentlemen and Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder. For this recording Little sticks to guitar and provides the lead vocals. He is helped out by Robert Bowlin on fiddle, Mike Compton mandolin, Dennis Crouch bass and Ronnie Stewart banjo/fiddle musically. Plus Claire Lynch and Robert Gateley add some impressive harmony work. Little has an excellent voice and it would not be hard to imagine him fronting his own band and being a headline act. Little also shows he expertise as a song writer. His three original compositions are all very good and contribute to the natural flow of this recording. Best bets from this CD are "Been All Around This World", his semi-autobiographical "Weary Ol' Highway" and for the harmony work on "Down Among The Budded Roses". An impressive debut from this talented artist.
Nashville Mandolin
Trio: American
Portraits For bluegrass fans Butch Baldassari is by far the most well known member of this group. From his early work with Weary Hearts then Lonesome Standard Time and as an independent artist and instructor Baldassari has been continuously working to promote the mandolin. First through bluegrass and lately via all many forms of acoustic music. For this he is recognized as one of the best at his craft. Gene Ford on guitar and John Hedgecoth mandochello are the other members of this trio. All three are amazing musicians and tackle a wide range of musical genres for this album. Bluegrass fans will especially enjoy "Honky Grass Stomp", "Waltz For Bill Monroe" and the "Seneca Square Dance/Chinquapin Hunting" medley. But it doesn't end there. Like Monroe drew from different styles to create bluegrass, this trio brings in many styles that influenced of the creation of "American" music. Works from legends like Ellington, Carmichael and Monroe mix with new pieces written with Celtic, Classical or Spanish influences to create a musical feast for the ears.
Casey Henry: Real
Women Drive Trucks Casey Henry is the daughter of Red (a mandolin picker of note) and Murphy (a respected and well known banjo instructor). She cut her bluegrass teeth playing bass in their family band "Red & Murphy & Their Excellent Children" and switched to banjo when she was 15. This, her solo debut, showcases the picking and composing talent of this extraordinary young woman. On this CD she shows us that her ability on the banjo is second to none and her nine original pieces are all top notch. The core of musicians joining Henry on this disc are her father Red mandolin, brother Chris guitar, Jason Carter fiddle and Missy Raines on bass. Her mother Murphy and Lynn Morris, both accomplished women banjo players, join her for one banjo duet each. Best bets on this instrumental CD include Henry originals "Big Panther Creek Waltz" and "St. Simon Says" plus the fiddle/banjo duet with Carter on "Turkey In The Straw". While it may be true that "Real Women Drive Trucks" but we're glad that they can play the banjo too.
Lou Reid & Carolina:
Blue Heartache Lou Reid is well known in music for his work in the past with some of the biggest names in bluegrass and country and now for his work fronting "Carolina" and numerous other projects he has on the go. Raised in Carolina surrounded by traditional music, Reid also had a love of rock and roll and played mainstream country. He returned to bluegrass for it's creative freedom. But now when he plays bluegrass he permits these other influences show through. This allows Reid and the other band members to make the sound of Carolina progressive without stretching the boundaries of tradition. This is the third album for Reid and his mandolin under the Carolina banner. Gena Britt is back for a second time playing banjo with Jeff Deaton bass and Brian Stephens guitar. All are premium pickers, but the long suit of this band is the vocal work. Reid's strong lead vocals and the band's harmonies show us how bluegrass was meant to be sung. Top picks include "Grass Lover", "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tie Me Down" and the title cut "Blue Heartache".
Various Artists:
Bluegrass Then &
Now To celebrate their 25th Anniversary, CMH Records put out a 2 CD set of bluegrass. CMH opened up the vault and Executive Producers David Haerle and Sandee Curry combed through the extensive collection of their music and put together the compilation "Bluegrass Then & Now". As the title suggests there is a "Then" CD and a "Now" CD. Each disc contains twenty songs from CMH's extensive library. The "Then" CD kicks off with "Georgia Piney Woods" from the Osborne Brothers, and also includes their biggest hit "Rocky Top". Mac Wiseman, Grandpa Jones, Don Reno and Lester Flatt are just a few of the other artists with familiar songs. The "Now" CD covers not only the modern traditional but also songs that push the envelope as well. "Stairway To Heaven" and "Paint It Black" commingled with "Billy In the Lowground" and "Katy Daly" makes for an interesting mix. As with any project of this type there will always be disagreements with the song selection, but all in all this is a well-rounded cross-section of all bluegrass music from CMH.
David Parmley &
Friends: What We Leave
Behind Since David Parmley started in bluegrass he has been associated with excellence. Whether playing guitar, singing or his studio work, all have made a mark on bluegrass music. His latest project "What We Leave Behind" continues that tradition. An all gospel project that is meant for everyone. The mood of this album is bright and uplifting, no fire and brimstone, just a true non-denominational treat. Parmley's rich baritone is in fine form and suited to the music selection on this project and the friends all complement his talent. The friends are too numerous to mention but Aubrey Haynie's fiddle, Adam Steffey's mandolin, Russell Moore and Steve Gulley's tenor vocals, Missy Raines' bass and Jim Hurst's guitar all have to be acknowledged. "When Love Is All You Want (It's All You Need)", "Random Acts Of Kindness" and the old bluegrass standard "Lord, Build Me A Cabin In Glory" with Del and Ronnie McCoury are the top picks from this CD. An excellent recording that shines equally bright for the message as well as the music.
Gopher Broke
Bluegrass: Broke
Again... "Broke Again.." is the follow up release to this bands debut "Caledonia County". After comparing the two and reading the review I wrote for Caledonia, I must conclude that they live by the old adage "If it ain't BROKE don't fix it." As good as their last CD was this one is just that much better. With the same members as last time, Gary Darling on mandolin, Steve Wright banjo, Rich Hamilton fiddle, Haze Smith guitar and Chris Cruger bass, they have had a chance to grow a bit. This is especially noticeable on their vocals. The harmonies are just that much tighter and the lead voices (Darling or Hamilton) are just that much more powerful. Once again they offer sixteen tunes and have split them down the middle between original compositions and lesser-known classic pieces. Darling's "When the Savior Calls Me Home" is as good as any bluegrass gospel standard, plus Hamilton's "Been There and Done That Before" and "How Long" are excellent songs. Picking, singing and writing these guys do it all and it should carry them as far as they want to go in bluegrass.
Steve Day: Fiddle
Man Steve Day's father introduced him to bluegrass. Influenced and inspired by Kenny Baker and Glen Duncan, he went on to become Kentucky State Fiddle Champion. He performed with Gary Brewer's Kentucky Ramblers and is currently a member of Continental Divide. As you would expect this CD showcases his awesome fiddle talent but it also give us a chance to hear his vocal abilities as well. On the six vocal numbers where he steps up to the mike he does a commendable job. For most of these songs he is backed by band mates David Parmley guitar, Elmer Burchett banjo, Mike Anglin bass and Danny Barnes on mandolin. Special guests, Glen Duncan harmony fiddle, Larry Stephenson tenor vocals and Ronnie McCoury help out for a couple of songs each. Of the vocal selections "Lonesome Without You" and "Come Back To Me In My Dreams" are very well done. Instrumentally the old standards "Fire On The Mountain" and "The Gold Rush" standout. This is his third solo project hopefully there's more to come from him and Continental Divide.
Josh Williams: Now
That You're Gone In 1994 thirteen year old Josh Williams fronted his own band "High Gear" and recorded "The Old Town Of Home". Although the album was critically acclaimed and showcased Williams' talent the group fell apart before the completion of the project. Fast-forward seven years, Josh Williams is an accomplished veteran of bluegrass and a predominant part of "Special Consensus". On the twelve cuts on this CD Williams' treats us with his impressive lead vocals and adds solid work on mandolin, guitar or banjo. As if that wasn't enough he composed the title cut "Now That You're Gone". Special Guests on this CD include mentor and Special Consensus band leader Greg Cahill, J.D. Crowe, Aubrey Haynie, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines plus many more. Top picks include "Last Widow Of The Civil War", "An Eye For An Eye" and "You Can Keep Your Nine Pound Hammer". Not to put any pressure on this young man, but with his vocals and musical ability he should soon take the final step and be recognized as a bluegrass superstar.
Larry Sparks: Special
Delivery Larry Sparks has made a niche for himself in bluegrass with his unique vocal style. While bluegrass is known for it's hard driving, high lonesome sound Sparks' voice is a little lower and most of the songs he does in a medium tempo. This has become his signature style that he does it as well as anybody in the business. He first gained national recognition when Ralph Stanley hired him in the sixties as the lead singer to replace the late Carter with The Clinch Mountain Boys. Since that we have followed his career through a chain of solo releases. "Special Delivery" is the latest in his series of recordings. While Sparks handles the lead vocal and guitar work Scott Napier adds mandolin, Josh McMurry is on banjo plus Virgil Brown and Joe Clark share the bass work. This musical quartet provides outstanding support for Sparks' story-telling lead vocals but also has more than enough pop to carry the two instrumental numbers on this recording. Best bets are "California Zephyr", "Richmond County" and Napier's original instrumental "Around the Carousel".
Tim Graves &
Cherokee: Pure Pickin' When Tim Graves was fourteen he started playing on stage with a group called "Cedar Run". After three years he moved on to "Bobby Smith and The Boys from Shilo" and then in 1981 he co-founded "Cherokee". The mid-eighties saw Tim take on various studio jobs and a weekly spot on the Grand Ole Opry. But the appeal of a steady group was too strong and the band was resurrected under the name "Tim Graves & Cherokee". This is their sixth project and like the previous ones that I am familiar with are all instrumental works. The current band consists of Graves on Dobro, Dickie Nugent (guitar), Randy Barnes (bass), Stacy Wilcox (banjo) and Bob Grant (mandolin). As you would expect all ten of the selections on this project feature a strong resonator guitar lead but each of the other members shine when it is their turn to step into the lead part. The selections run the full range of paces, the up tempo "Randy Lynn Rag" and "House Of Scruggs" and the wonderful fiddle work of guest artist Bobby Hicks on "Pass Me Not" are the best bets.
John McEuen &
Jimmy Ibbotson: Stories &
Songs The premise for this CD is simple, yet innovative. Two entertaining artists set up in a recording studio with an audience, let the tape roll and let's see what happens. The result was that producer Page Wilson had a six-hour performance to cut down to a manageable recording project. McEuen and Ibbotson are best known for their years with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and subsequently for their part on the monumental "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" recording. The narration on this CD gives this the same kind of feel as the Circle album. Actually the narration between these two stars makes this album. The "Songs" (12 cuts) features some of the Dirt Bands biggest hits like "Long Hard Road" and "Dance Little Jean", a nice banjo medley by McEuen and an assortment of bluegrass tinged folk. The "Stories" give us a bit of the history behind the music or the insight to what the writer was going through in his personal life when he wrote a particular song. "Stories and Songs" is a marvelous live recording, so load it up, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Ron Rigsby: Banjo
On The Run Ron Rigsby is a very talented individual. His first banjo career reached it's peak when at age 15 he was playing for Charlie Moore. He went on to manage a pizza restaurant and then owning his own eatery by the age of 18. He also became journeyman pipe fitter and starting a very successful maintenance company while trying to make it in country music in Nashville. But all roads lead to bluegrass, right? After a ten year absence from music Ron Rigsby is back and sounding fine. He is a gifted banjo picker, a strong vocalist and his six original compositions on this CD are all first rate. For this CD he is joined by Ray Craft guitar, Rob Ikes Dobro, Don Rigsby mandolin, Ray Slayer bass with the late Randy Howard on fiddle. Highlights on this recording are Rigsby's own "Banjo On The Run" and "Takin' the Backroad 'To JD's'". "Mandolin Rain" the final track on this CD features drums and piano and it is not bluegrass. Rigsby does an excellent cover of this song, and maybe he included it for the line "Listen to the bluegrass band". If it's Rigsby I'll listen.
Reviews by Tim Farrell, 4419 - 49th Ave. Bonnyville, Alberta, T9N 1G9 Write to Tim
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