CD Review By Captain Barry R. Willis

Bluegrass has evolved considerably through the years. It was bound to because of modern influences after the 1950s. I'm glad to report that this compact disc is NOT one of those projects which feature the modern sounds. The traditional stuff is alive and welland strong. "Palmetto Bluegrass Profiles" features the powerful and important traditional bluegrass music. While we might listen to and even love the modern styles of bluegrass, the reason bluegrass will forever continue its popularity throughout the world is because of the substance of its earliest forms which sprouted during the 1940s through the 1950s, giving special credit to Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs as pivotal individuals.

The project features twenty-two songs by these bands. The band include Carolina Rebels, Carolina Bluegrass, Southern Expedition, Pinetuckett, Bill Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass, Dark Corner, Pappy Sherrill and the Hired Hands, New Bluegrass Gospel Connection, Bob Moore and the Lucas Brothers, Roffie Griggs Band and Shortview. Songs include well known songs such as "Lonesome Pine," "Big Mon" and many lesser known songs. All of the eleven bands on this compact disc are active members of the South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association. Some of the performances were recorded live, some in a studio under the close supervision of Dr. Larry Klein and others. Klein is the resophonic guitarist in two local bands, the host of "The Bluegrass Sound" radio show, and one of the originators of this project. Other people critical to this product include Sandi Bethel, Pat Ahrens, Jim Gray, Vaughn Moureaux, Bill Wells and David Crow.

"The Palmetto Bluegrass Profiles" is dedicated to Snuffy Jenkins who lived in the Columbia, SC, area for over fifty years and, according to Larry Klein, the most important banjo player in the history of the five-string banjo in the time leading up to Carolinians Don Reno and Earl Scruggs. The only real weak part in this project is its liner notes. Too bad, for the music is great. The liner notes do, however, have photos of each band. This shows that most of the band members dress with ties or even suits and demonstrates to me that they have considerable respect for bluegrass music and its traditions. The tunes and songs are carefully chosen to heighten our pleasant experience with bluegrass music.

I could use extreme critique and tell you that there is a timing problem in one of the songs. Or I could tell you that some of the self-mixing during a live performance is a bit weak. But I'd offset this with the delightful resonator guitar in Dark Corner: This guy has it all together and really enhances the band's overall sound.

This project ends up being excellent bluegrass music. It exhibits the variety we find in bluegrass and we find a drive to excitement throughout the recording. The homespun aspect of this project demonstrates just how important bluegrass music is to the good folks of the Carolinas by being an excellent example of neighbors playing on their back porches or performing at the local Sunday community gathering. From instrumentals to vocal songs, I like it.

If you'd like your own precious copy of "Palmetto" contact SCBTMA at 710 Meeting St., West Columbia, SC, 29169, 803-796-6477, or http://expresswebs.com/scbtma.

Captain Barry Willis

20th January 2002