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.