CD Mini-Reviews July
1998
Click for | Continental Divide |
Bluegrass |
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The Bluegrass Thoroughbreds "Bluegrass Is Covered With Snow"
Mid-Knight Records MK-CD-1110
Tracks: 14 cuts - 42 mins+ My wife and I met James Malicote and the Bluegrass Thoroughbreds about 4 years ago at their festival in Missouri. They have about 11 recordings on their own label and just recently signed with Mid-Knight. Since they now have a label I decided to do a review of their CD. The Thoroughbreds have been playing, writing and performing for 23 years and have a fine reputation in the Midwestern part of the US. Singer, songwriter, flatpicker James Malicote and his Bluegrass Thoroughbreds have another album well worthy of any collection. The sound mix throughout the CD is excellent, giving Don Rigsby’s mandolin, Jason Carter’s fiddle, and Phil Leadbetter’s Resonator Guitar “proper voice.” Producer Don Rigsby made sure all songs have the “groove.” The bluegrass is traditional with Malicote’s distinctive flatpicking and singing being unusually fine. Marcie, wife of James, plays bass and adds her vocals. James and Marcie’s daughter and son-in-law are deeply involved in the project. Marcie Kaye, banjo, and husband Justin Newhart, mandolin, not only harmonize nicely, but contributed an instrumental, Ashton’s Bounce. Actually, the Malicote family, including James’ mother, wrote six of the fourteen songs for a well rounded project. The CD is dedicated to Tip Sharp, the Malicote’s late friend, who wrote, “When the Bluegrass is Covered with Snow” and “Just an Orphan.” For bookings, schedules and a complete listing of recordings, call or write: The Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, James Malicote, 415 Stone Crest Rd., Winchester, KY. 40391 Phone 606.744.1616 Rog ’n Gay Stowers, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. (rstowers@midplains.net) EDITORS NOTE: I have heard a tape of this CD and can verify the above comments. They’re not in the modern slick style, but more high-lonesome - a bit Stanley-like - and with excellent harmonies. Dave Frets is looking into availability - I say give it a try. Get a little excitement in your life - try something other than a safe “follow the flock” policy! Get some good new songs that no-one else is singing! PS: Pete Wraith would hate this CD!
Continental
Divide
This is a great album and I can recommend it without
reservation. The material is a bit more traditional and the feel is much
more open and loose than their earlier albums. This is their best to date,
I reckon. Scott’s playing is terrific - very restrained and tasteful
and much more soulful than I have ever heard from him. Nice job! Ricky Simpkins
plays both mandolin and fiddle and Randy Kohrs is now featured on
dobro. Scott Vestal plays a Scruggs tune that may not be familiar to many folks. It is called Silver Eagle and comes from the Scruggs Revue days. It is fun to hear a “new” Scruggs tune and Scott plays it beautifully. He had the opportunity to pick up a real live Granada shortly before this album was recorded and decided to use it to record the new album. It’s is interesting to hear Scott with a different tone... This is really a ‘grassy’ album. It reminds me a lot of David Pamley’s (wonderful) Southern Heritage from several years back. The album is very good - it is my favourite Continental Divide project, at least as far as the banjo picking is concerned. Check it out. John Lawless By John Lawless
Oooooooiiiiiieeeee.....!! Stop right now - whatever
you're doing - and order this new all-instrumental CD . This is some mighty
fine picking. I have bragged on this project a number of times already, based
on hearing the test CD several months ago. I just got my copy of the actual
release today and, while it may not go on my desert island list just yet,
it will certainly reside in my computer's ‘retractable cup holder’
for a couple of weeks. Availability: Phone Dave Frets on 0151-525-2781 or Write to Showcase (bstokes@wans.net). You can probably order online from Pinecastle's web site at http://www.pinecastle.com or from http://www.cdnow.com
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