Three new reviews at the Lonesome Road Review

I’ve fallen way behind in my writing, and have only just got around to submiting three reviews to http://lonesomeroadreview.wordpress.com/- A Tribute to Fiddlin’ Paul Warren, Lost & Found’s latest, and the fourth installment in the North to Ontario series. Please check them out as they are three very strong albums, well worth your listening. Thanks for dropping by Fervor Coulee. Donald

25 Albums I’m Really Glad I Listened To This Summer- Part 2

Continuing the journey…

Pale Imperfect Diamond Cedar Hill Refugees (Effigy Records, 2009) I can’t say John Carter Cash’s production decisions do a lot for me, but on this disc- which brings the musical influences of Uzbekistan to Nashville- he and Jack Clift get it pretty much right. Jadoo is the name of the Uzbek band featured throughout, and I’m not really sure where they stop and the array of the usual guests, including Marty Stuart, Ralph Stanley, John Cowan, Randy Scruggs, Ronnie McCoury, Harry Stinson, Dennis Crouch, start.

But the music works on a number of levels. First, the music of the Uzbeks does remind one of southern mountain music, at least as it is presented here. Second, the exotic and mysterious rhythms and unusual instrumentation which includes horns, percussion, and stringed instruments galore works as an alternative to the increasingly glossy bluegrass sounds one ever more associates with ‘mountain music.’ Not that this music isn’t highly produced, but if I’m going to listen to studio polish I’d rather find it here than in my bluegrass.

Finally, the vocals are full of treats that even the most casual of listeners will appreciate. Dr. Ralph’s contributions to “Keys to the Kingdom” are worth the purchase alone, but John Cowan shines on “Oh, Bury Me Not”. The downside is the lack of liner notes beyond general musician credits; a project such as this cries out for explanation and reflection on the song choices, the instruments featured, and the interplay of the participants.

The Record Bar Shows Bob Walkenhorst with Jeff Porter and Norm Dahlor (Internet Archive, 2009) Not an album or even a series of albums, but an ongoing archive of weekly shows performed by the Rainmakers front man at a Kansas City pub. Amongst the wealth of original material are choice country, folk and rock (“Dirty Water”) covers, many with timely significance (“Woodstock” in early-August, Ellie Greenwich’s “Hanky Panky” and “Chimes of Freedom” dedicated to Ted Kennedy as the month drew to a close.)

Walkenhorst and his compatriots are obviously comfortable performing within this largely acoustic setting. While over 300 Walkenhorst recordings are available on the Archive, this summer’s slate of shows were particularly strong, with focus and looseness apparent in equal measure. http://www.archive.org/details/BobWalkenhorst

South Mouth Robbie Fulks (Bloodshot, 1997) An unfortunately long-neglected favourite, I rediscovered South Mouth when I ran across a deeply discounted copy and picked it up for a gift. Of course, I had to listen to it in the car on the way home…and then the next day and a week later. I still haven’t passed it onto Cheryl and Ross, but I trust they’ll like it as much as I do if they ever get a chance to listen to it. Every song, except “F%&k this Town” would sound terrific within a bluegrass arrangement with “Cold Statesboro Ground” already having been given such by James Reams & the Barnstormers. When I hear songs like “I Told Her Lies”, “What the Lord Hath Wrought (Any Fool Can Knock Down)”, and “Busy Not Crying”, I remember why I love country music so much, and how rare such performances seem.

Black & Blue The Rolling Stones (Universal 1976/2009) I’ve wanted to pick up this album ever since reading Ian Rankin’s excellent novel of the same name a few years ago. I was curious not only because of the way Rankin referenced the album throughout, but because I’d heard such mixed messages about the disc. I finally purchased it when it was rereleased this year and I found it cheap enough. The album didn’t blow me away, but I certainly appreciated the mood the grooves inspired in me- good for highway driving, no doubt. Listening to the album, I couldn’t help be surprised that folks claimed the Stones went disco with Emotional Rescue just a few years later; the two albums certainly share the same DNA. I’m glad I listened to it, if only to satisfy my curiousity. Not essential, but few Stones albums are.

Songs My Father Loved Ricky Skaggs (Skaggs Family, 2009) A beautiful album, artfully rendered. And that isn’t something I say very often about a Ricky Skaggs album. Likely the last time I had overwhelmingly pleasant thoughts about a Skaggs disc was somewhere prior to the turn of the century with Bluegrass Rules and Life is A Journey. On the cover, Skaggs looks terrific- and the photo reminds me of both Guy Clark and Marty Stuart- and he appears to be accepting the passages of time. Despite all the necessary multi-tracking, the music is fresh and homely (as in simple and unpretentious) presented. When Skaggs sings country, as he does here- not commercial country, mind, but mountain inspired country- he is in his wheelhouse. Wonderful stuff!

Sylvain Sylvain/Syl Sylvain & the Teardrops Sylvain Sylvain (1980/1981/2007 Acadia) I first heard “I’m So Sorry” on a Rachel Sweet bootleg where she is playing tunes on the Kid Leo show. I picked up both of these albums over the years in delete bins (remember them?) and had been keeping my eyes open for them on disc. I was completely surprised when I (again) tripped over this 2fer in an Athens Metropolis store. I’ve written about the store elsewhere, but what a wonderboon it was- four or five stories of music, neatly if confusingly (to me, a non-Greek) arranged in a roomy and clean environment. Anyway, the second album doesn’t hold up to the first, but the first three tracks (“Teenage News”, “What’s That Got To Do With Rock n Roll”, and the perfect “I’m So Sorry) are as wonderful a ten minutes as I’ve heard in all my years. Maybe the best seven Euro I spent on the trip, although all those Orange Fantas were mighty tasty.

Different Views David Gogo (Cordova Bay, 2009) I’ll be honest. The only reason I even gave this album a fair listen was because I noticed the cover of John Stewart’s “Gold”. I’ve got a stack of CDs that I haven’t had time or inclination to listen to, and this one likely would have found a place in that pile. Do I really need to listen to another self-indulgent blues guitar album?

Good thing I noticed “Gold” because the album is very strong, not the least bit wankerish. It holds up and draws in even the most reluctant listener. The originals are power blues-rockers of the finest sort, with changes of tempo that encourage air-guitar miming from listeners and vocal arrangements that recall Tom Wilson and Carlos Santana. Different Views is soaring voices, power chords and waves of organ, tightly arranged for maximum impact.

I’ve searched for covers of John Stewart’s most famous song this side of “Daydream Believer” and they are rare; Gogo’s version, featuring Carolyn Mark in Stevie’s place is remarkable; Jim Bass may now be making $8.50 for an hour, but the rhythm in his hands is as steady as ever in Gogo’s treatment.

A reminder never to judge without listening.

Two Dimes & a Nickel David Davis & the Warrior River Boys (Rebel, 2009) Along with Dale Ann Bradley’s latest, maybe the finest bluegrass album I’ve heard this year. Beautiful, cinematic songs. Davis picks songs with more care that it appears do his higher-profile bluegrass contemporaries. Yes, they include clichés but the familiar phrases and expected treatments work for the song, not against it. See my full review at http://lonesomeroadreview.wordpress.com/

 Motorway Tom Robinson (Music de Luxe, 1994) I’m not sure when or where this collection was recorded. I found it for cheap in a bin of leftovers several years ago and promptly forgot about it. Last winter, ”2-4-6-8 Motorway” worked its way back into my brain when it was featured in an episode of Ashes to Ashes. So I dug out my vinyl of Power in the Darkness and had some fun for a few nights, and actually was listening to PITD in the car this morning before writing this piece. Re-found this disc on the shelf when I was doing some reorganizing of the CDs. A fine little set that captures the freewheeling attitude that was so obvious when these songs were first heard during university days- we can do anything and will accomplish everything. Well, we didn’t- or at least I haven’t. ”2-4-6-8 Motorway” is still one of the best driving songs of any genre of the past forty years, and while the version here is a bit restrained, it still feels right. This album encouraged me to further explore the Tom Robinson and TRB discographies, and it has been great fun.

A few more to come…. Cheers, Donald

Kenny & Amanda Smith Band- Live and Learn

Kenny & Amanda Smith Band

Live and Learn

Rebel Records

www.rebelrecords.com

 

Seemingly bluegrass music’s happiest couple, Kenny and Amanda Smith  return with another in a line of impressive bluegrass albums.

 

“Live and Learn” has a companionable vibe about it, very comfortable and confident. Kenny Smith is one of bluegrass’s finest flatpickers, and he demonstrates his abilities throughout, including on an otherwise staid rendering of “I’d Jump the Mississippi.” The traditional “Cruel Willie” fares better and Kenny admirably stretches himself vocally on “Icicle Canyon.”

 

Amanda Smith’s pleasing voice carries the album, and fans of the group should find themselves fully satisfied with their fourth Rebel disc.

My Postcard2 Top 20 for 2008

Postcard2 is a list serve that is focused around (mostly) roots music and its various off-shoots. Each year members submit their Top 20 releases of the year. The submissions can be interesting, and can lead to further exporation of artists and albums previously missed. www.postcard2.com for more information. Anyhow, here is what I submitted, with three comments. One, I missed Darrell Scott’s Modern Hymns. Not sure how, but I did. It would have most likely pushed the Hubbard disc out of the top 20. Second, I hadn’t heard either the Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson album nor the Hank Williams unreleased radio show recordings prior to compiling the list. Not sure if Rattlin’ Bones would have made it to the Twenty, but Hank would have made the reissues list. Additionally, Maria Dunn’s album arrived too late to be considered. Again, quite likely it would have made the list; it is an excellent example of the living Canadian folk tradition. Finally, as discussed elsewhere, Carlene Carter’s Stronger is a very fine album, but didn’t make my top 20. Instead, I mention it on the reissues as it was originally issued as a fan club disc a couple years ago. Anyhow…here it is:

Beyond Fred Eaglesmith’s Tinderbox, few of the albums I shortlisted and then finally listed stood-out ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest.

Actually, I had initially believed 2008 was a weak year for the kind of music I like, simply because little separated itself from the pack. Once I started working at it, I discovered there was a lot of music I liked and enjoyed, but the new releases were overshadowed by the volume of catalogue- and in some cases deep catalogue- music I’ve been listening to (Genesis’s Foxtrot, anyone?)

 

 

This is a result, I think, of purchasing a lot of music- some I still haven’t got to- from a chain going bankrupt this fall, finding a bunch of $1 CDs I could trade in for three and four times at the local shop for mega-discounted ‘my kind of music’- You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic for $4, Martin Sexton Wonder Bar for 6, and various Midnight Oil’s for $3…

In no particular order, beyond Fred being #1…

Fred Eaglesmith- Tinderbox

The Steeldrivers- The Steeldrivers

The Earl Brothers- Moonshine

Kathy Mattea- Coal

Mark Erelli- Delivered

Melonie Cannon- And the Wheels Turn

Blue Moon Rising- One Lonely Shadow

Chip Taylor- New Songs of Freedom

Crooked Still- Still Crooked

Charlie Haden- Rambling Boy

Lucinda Williams- Little Honey

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper- Leavin’ Town

Jay Clark- I’m Confused

Justin Townes Earle- The Good Life

Brad Paisley- Play

Eliza Gilkyson- Beautiful World

Ray Wylie Hubbard- Snake Farm

Kimmie Rhodes- Walls Fall Down

Kathleen Edwards- Asking for Flowers

Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein- 2:10 Train

 

 Subject to change within twenty minutes

 Reissues/compilations, etc

The Wire- …And All the Things Matter

Nick Lowe- Jesus of Cool

VA- Ten Years of European World of Bluegrass

Larry Sparks- Bound to Ride

Ralph Stanley- Old-Time Pickin

Katrina Leskanich- Walking on Sunshine

Carlene Carter- Stronger

Bruce Robison- His Greatest Hits

Jason Ringenberg- Best Tracks and Side Tracks

James King- Gardens in the Sky

And the whole damn Creedence reissue set- How did I ever miss CCR before? What a rhythm section! Much more than the FM singles band I always took them for.

And finally, Ali Thomson’s digital reissue of “Take A Little Rhythm”!

Ralph Stanley- Old-Time Pickin’

Ralph Stanley

Old-Time Pickin’

Rebel Records

 

 

Subtitled A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, if anyone wanted to argue that the rhythmic, frailing style of mountain banjo playing doesn’t belong in bluegrass, this forty minute collection would serve as a solid refute.

 

In the space of 18 uplifting tunes- fully half of which are culled from the Rebel archives and were previously unreleased- Dr. Ralph Stanley takes listeners on a journey from his earliest days playing songs taught to him by his mother (Shout Little Lulie) to a powerhouse take of Battle Ax recorded in 1996. Several tracks from as recent as 2000 and 2001 are revealed, including notable takes of Married Life Blues and Cripple Creek.

 

Ralph Stanley is a bluegrass and mountain music legend, and this collection with its wide variety of material not previously released on CD- capturing him both at the peak of his game and in his days as a still capable elder statesman of the 5-string banjo- is a welcome addition to his canon.

Various Artists- Best Loved Bluegrass

Various Artists

Best Loved Bluegrass

Rebel Records

 

For almost fifty years, Rebel Records has captured some of the finest bluegrass music recorded. With few exceptions, most of the legends of the music- from Ralph Stanley to Ricky Skaggs- have passed through the Rebel roster.

 

Collecting twenty all-time favourites of bluegrass music in this hour-long volume, the Rebel archivists present as fine an entry point to the music as one could hope. However, even those with large collections of bluegrass music may find something new on this inexpensive but finely composed compilation.

 

From a haunting take of “Darling Corey” (The Seldom Scene) to the definitive rendition of “Bringing Mary Home” (The Country Gentlemen), there is no shortage of incredible bluegrass performances. All the jam standards are included- “Nine Pound Hammer”, “Fox on the Run”, “Pig in a Pen”, “Poor Ellen Smith”, “Footprints in the Snow”, and “Dream of a Miner’s Child”.

 

The artists comprise a Who’s Who of the bluegrass legends roll call with The Stanley Brothers, Del McCoury, J. D. Crowe, Lost & Found, Reno & Smiley, Whitley & Skaggs, Tony Rice and more represented.

 

What I especially love about this type of compilation is that it gives under-heard artists a chance to be ‘discovered’ by the greater bluegrass community. Dave Evans is one of the music’s finest voices but too few know his music; his reading of “Down in the Willow Garden” is timeless and is a perfect introduction to the man. Similarly, the Lilly Brothers & Don Stover, The Boys from Indiana, Ted Lundy, and Emerson & Waldron are not commonly known to many bluegrass fans.

 

With an emphasis on recordings made during the 60’s and 70’s, Best Loved Bluegrass captures a time when legendary performers shared the Rebel label with those who would go on to further define bluegrass. While many of the performances appear ‘traditional’ from a contemporary perspective, many of these artists were on the cutting edge of bluegrass at one time.

 

Enjoy.

Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein- 2:10 Train

Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein

2:10 Train

Rebel

 

Seldom does it get better than this, the debut album from long-time bluegrass buddies Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein. 2:10 Train is a near perfect offering of acoustiblue music: two instruments and two voices- Klein’s lead and guitar and Gaudreau’s harmony and mandolin.

 

The album is a thoroughly contemporary portrait of two individuals performing the music they love in an unadorned manner. Not bluegrass by definition- such is impossible in a duo format without the 5-string banjo- 2:10 Train is reminiscent of the best Tim O’Brien recordings in that very clean instrumentation is blended with country- and mountain-influenced vocals in a way that incorporates elements common to folk and bluegrass.

 

The pair are acoustic veterans, and both are more than impressive musicians with Gaudreau one of the finest mandolinists working within the bluegrass genre.

 

Electing to record largely familiar numbers, Gaudreau and Klein take listeners on a comfortable visitation of their influences by performing songs with Celtic shades (“Black Jack Davey” and “Colleen Malone”), folk foundations (Tom Paxton’s “Last Thing on my Mind” and the venerable “Shady Grove”), and bluegrass or old-time roots (“Dixie Hoedown” and a simply brilliant interpretation of “Arkansas Traveler/Soldier’s Joy” that owes just a bit to Doc Watson).

 

For the album’s strongest cut, I lean toward a mournful rendering of Eric Bogle’s “And the Band Played ‘Waltzing Matilda’”; in times like these, this anthem is especially poignant, and Klein’s voice- so smooth with James Taylor leanings- causes the listener to ache with knowledge of the song’s story.

 

 2:10 Train was released a few months ago, and is highly recommended for all fans of acoustic roots and bluegrass music.

The Best of Larry Sparks: Bound to Ride

Larry Sparks

The Best of Larry Sparks: Bound to Ride

Rebel Records

 

Larry Sparks isn’t everyone’s cup o’ drink. In public, he appears a bit aloof, some would say stand-offish. I’ve heard people claim he isn’t really a bluegrass performer because too few of his songs are fast-paced burners; he might be a good country singer, but not bluegrass. Still others have no idea who Larry Sparks is.

 

For the uninitiated, Larry Sparks has been performing his brand of bluegrass throughout the southern United States for forty-plus years. He first came to attention singing with Ralph Stanley in the Clinch Mountain Boys, and has been leading The Lonesome Ramblers since 1969. Sparks has always done things his own way, and has seldom found himself a part of the bluegrass ‘in-crowd’ despite being universally revered by bluegrass singers and musicians far and wide. It has only been in the past several years that Sparks has elected to regularly tour outside the Bluegrass Belt, and he made what I believe was his first Alberta appearance a year ago at Blueberry. In both 2004 and 2005 Sparks was recognized by the membership of International Bluegrass Music Association as Male Vocalist of the Year.

 

For those who are familiar with Larry Sparks, indulge me for a moment. Think of your favourite Larry Sparks song. “John Deere Tractor”? It’s here. “You Ain’t Lived”? Yup. “Tennessee 1949”? Naturally. “Smokey Mountain Memories”? Yes. “Blue Virginia Blues.” That one, too. They are all here in this economically priced, single disc compilation chock ’o block with fourteen of Sparks’ most beloved songs.

 

Each is the original recording from five different Rebel albums released between 1980 and 2003. Additionally, there are a few treasures from records released on the King Bluegrass label in the mid-70s.

 

While there are no instrumentals included, the various incarnations of the Lonesome Ramblers have more than a few opportunities to display their gifts throughout the album. Wendy Miller’s mandolin kick-off to “Just Lovin’ You” makes one sit up and take notice, and the haunting, lonesome atmosphere created by the 1983 crew on “Imitation of the Blues” has frequently been copied but never duplicated. Hearing Barry Crabtree- recently through our area with the Charlie Sizemore Band- playing the 5-string on “I’d Like To Be A Train” from twenty years ago sheds a little light on how long some of the folks we enjoy as sidemen have been perfecting their craft.

 

Larry Sparks isn’t flashy. He doesn’t brag on himself, and he is a man of few words. He’s unassuming and matter of fact. And he can sing a bluegrass song like no one.

 

Folks like Alison Krauss and Dale Ann Bradley near worship the man, and it’s safe to say that they know bluegrass. After listening to The Best of Larry Sparks: Bound to Ride you’re bound to know bluegrass a little better.