Ivor Trueman
Participant
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I buy quite a lot of bluegrass-style CD’s, most only get a few plays & then get filed away, only see the light of day again (relatively) infrequently. One or two haven’t made it through a first spin before becoming miniature frisbees…. and then there’s the occasional new purchase, that seems like it’s something special.
So I thought it might be an idea to ask what was the last ‘bluegrass’ album you purchased, that really stood out, and got played repeatedly?
For me, the last highlight was High Country‘s Pefect Companions, which is infused with a blend of old-school Monroe / Flatt & Scruggs, but doesn’t sound dated, nostalgic or retro. I only got the album last month (it came out 2009), but I can tell it’s going to be one of those that get’s played heavily. It leans heavily on Monroe, with fine renditions of Hank Williams’ Alabama Waltz, You Live In A World Of Your Own, Sweet Mary And The Miles In Between, a fine fiddle medley lifted from Uncle Pen and Virginia Stuaffer’s With Body & Soul. There’s a few cracking originals too, with Downhearted being an astute & lyrically interesting, observation on failing relationships. Highway Of Pain is as lonesome as it gets, Perfect Companions just as uplifting . Great sympathetic interplay between the instruments throughout, and (generally) smooth slick vocals and even the odd yodel. Excellent Monroe style Mandolin too!
Cheers
Ivor
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Eric Tapp
Keymaster
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Ivor that is an excellent record. I’ve had two such revelations in the last few months.
1. From out of nowhere came Detour- A Better Place. Tight band, great material. You’ll never guess where I found out about them.
2. I’ve also been trying to wear out the grooves on the digital version of the Infamous Stringdusters- Silver Sky. In particular tracks 1,3, and 10. Its a good thing that I don’t do the CD reviews here at Bluegrass Today. I have no words to properly describe this record. I just keep listening to it. Over and over. It reminds me of how different and great the Eagles were when they first came around. Couldn’t put my finger on that either but I listened over and over…
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David Morris
Participant
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Eric wrote: “It’s a good thing that I don’t do the CD reviews here at Bluegrass Today…”
Hey, it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! When I review, I listen to a CD at least four or five times before I write it up. After that, the really good ones get put into the rotation in the car. Some are in one of the six slots for a day or two. The “goodness gracious” ones stay much longer. The latest is that category is the new one from Bobby O and the Rocky Top Xpress.
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Glenn Spry
Member
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For me its gotta be Reminton Ryde’s Grandpa was my Guide, Great band from Reedsville, PA, and very nice people as well. Also still enjoy Gibson Brothers Ring the Bell quite a bit as well.
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Donald Teplyske
Participant
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Trying this again…
While not bluegrass, Jon Byrd’s Down at the Well of Wishes is darn-near perfect. My review of the album should soon be posted to the Lonesome Road Review. I second the recommendation of Bobby O’s New Bluegrass and Old Heartaches.
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Dennis Jones
Participant
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The Harper Family “Changes”, Balsam Range “Papertown”, the new …not out till October…Jussi Syren and The Ground Breakers “The Old Home Place Ain’t What It Used To Be” and the new James King….sometime in the fall are all 1st class.
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Dennis Jones
Participant
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Oh…and the new Town Mountain “Leave The Bottle”
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Jon Weisberger
Participant
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Thanks, Eric!
I’m liking the new Town Mountain album quite a bit, too, as well as Paul Williams’ latest; Aquatic Hitchhiker from the newly re-formed Leftover Salmon; the Keller Williams & Travelin’ McCourys release, and the Steep Canyon Rangers’ Nobody Knows You. To me, there’s a lot to like in bluegrass these days!
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Chris Skaryd
Participant
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There’s probably been something more recent, but Shannon Slaughter’s solo album is probably the one I most identify with that thought.
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Tracy
Member
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Not a recent cd but it’s a favorite. Mojave River by Chris Stuart & Back Country. Chris and Janet Beazley make a good duo. Ivan Rosenberg on the resonator and Mason Tuttle on Bass.
Listening to it on Spotify because for some strange reason I can’t find it. I need to organize my cd’s but don’t know the best way.
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Dennis Jones
Participant
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Rachel Burge’s new solo CD, I get so many in the mail these days I forgot her…and I’m sure a dozen more…but she has a great voice, KILLER mando skills and is one of our best new songwriters. Easy Top 5 pick for they year for me.
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Jason Hannan
Participant
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Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein’s Home From the Mills. Not necessarily bluegrass per se, but great if you like creative acoustic music and good harmonies.
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John Lawless
Keymaster
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I’m with Dennis on Rachel’s CD. She is a comer.
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Shawn Cramer
Participant
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For me the one I have been trying to wear out lately has been Dailey and Vincent’s Statler Brothers tribute. Their harmonies are so tight, I can just listen over and over again. That CD has been played weekly for over a year now.
Shawn
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janice brooks
Participant
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Larry Stephenson and Special Consensus
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