Don Reno & Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups The Don Reno Story CMH Records
Last month, CMH Records continued their recent foray into digital and streaming platforms with the release of The Don Reno Story, a 1976 two-album set recorded by Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups.
Revisiting songs from earlier in their careers, including those from Reno & Smiley, the band includes Reno (banjo, vocals), Harrell (guitar, vocals), Ed Ferris (bass), Clay Smith (guitar), Dale Reno (mandolin), and Buck Ryan (fiddle).
The interpretations of classic songs including “Bringing in the Georgia Mail,” “Just a Phone Call Will Do,” “I Know You’re Married But I Love You Still,” and “Country Boy Rock and Roll” are top-notch. Especially pleasing are the vocal harmonies of “I’m The Talk of the Town,” the honky tonk flavours of “Gold Digger,” and the dexterous banjo and fiddle play on “Dixie Breakdown.”
A worthwhile album for which we now have greater access. 20 songs.
Fervor Coulee- roots music opinion 