IndexBluegrassReleases08

1. The Emperor Has New Clothes
2. Any Such Thing
(Featuring Chris Jones, Paul Kramer, Aaron Till,
Laurie McClain, Jonell Mosser & Travis Stinson)
3. Sling That Mud
4. Moonlight On The Tigris
(Featuring Suzy Bogguss)
5. D******t Ain't A Dirty Word No More
6. Let's Talk About The Weather
(Featuring Chris & Sally Jones)
7. Never Again
(Featuring Jonell Mosser)
8. I Am Not My Brother's Keeper
9. One Big Lifeboat
10. Downtown
11. We Are All One

1. Cactus In A Coffee Can
2. Dark Shadows
3. Send A Little Love
4. I Call It Gone
5. The Day Before You
6. It's All Right There
7. Back To Earth
(With Willie Nelson)
8. Mary Magdalene (Why You Cryin')
9. Set 'Em Up Joe
10. I've Seen Enough Of What's Behind Me
11. I Just Don't Have It In Me
12. And The Wheels Turn

1. I Can Go Back Anytime
2. Faith And Hope
3. Country Strong
4. Fickle Heart
5. I Don't Wat To Wake Up
6. Second Chances
7. Devil's Den
8. One Way Track To Nowhere
9. If Those Walls Could Talk
10. Turn The Page
11. She's A Stranger In His Mind
12. 1800 Miles
13. "Where's Carrie?" Jam

This was released during the recent General
Election and is not something that
Republicans, those that deny climate change
and those who turn their back on world
suffering are going to feel comfortable around
although it may get them thinking. Musically, it
is very competent but it is the words that have
the impact. For those who remember Tom
Paxton then you will find some of his style in
this excellent CD. A copy needs to be sent to
every delegate to the United Nations.may
actually learn from it. It is enjoyable and
thought provoking.

I am a Melonie Cannon fan and so I have
been deprived of a new album. I bumped into
her mom and dad at IBMA and was pleased
to hear that a new CD was imminent. Her dad
is legendary producer and songwriter, Buddy
Cannon. He and I have also written together.
A week later, Melonie's CD arrived and what a
joy it is. It is listed under Bluegrass because
of the label but it could quite as easily be
listed as Country and I mean real Country.
The production is impeccable and the songs
are of the highest quality; many written by
Melonie with sister Marla, no slouch herself.
The guests are proof enough of the esteem in
which Melonie is held and include Ricky
Skaggs, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Barry
Bales, Sonya Isaacs, Randy Kohrs and
Aubrey Haynie. However, there are two
highlights on the CD and that is her reprising
of "Set 'Em Up Joe" which Buddy had
co-written and had become a classic via Vern
Gosdin and her duet with Willie Nelson on
"Back To Earth." I ask myself why is this CD
not at #1 and not the s**t that other female
singers put out. This along with Brad
Paisley's "Play" is my CD OF THE YEAR.

When Mountain Heart's Jim Van Cleve
decides to take the production reins then you
know that you will have a quality CD. Carrie
made a lot of bluegrassers sit up when she
released her first album. Now purists may
curl up in outrage because Carrie has a
drummer but tell me what is more acoustic
than a drum? Unlike a lot of Bluegrass
singers, Carrie could find her way in straight
ahead Country as evidenced by "Country
Strong" which was written by Mark Nesler,
Tony Martin and Jennifer Hanson. However,
one of my favorites is her take on Bob Seger's
"Turn The Page" which was made to be a
Bluegrass recording. Carrie has a powerful
voice that is crystal clear. Definitely a CD that
will stay in my player for a while.

VALERIE SMITH & BECKY BULLER

"HERE'S A LITTLE SONG"

BELL BUCKLE NO CAT #

NO PRODUCER LISTED

RALPH STANLEY

"OLD-TIME PICKIN': A CLAWHAMMER BANJO
COLLECTION"

REBEL VAULT MASTERS REB-CD-7520

COMPILATION PRODUCED BT DAVID FREEMAN
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: MARK FREEMAN

CHRIS STUART & BACKCOUNTRY

"CROOKED MAN"

BACKCOUNTRY BCK-842

PRODUCED BY JANET BEAZLEY

1. I Got A Letter
2. Life Is Not A Guarantee
3. Heart Of The House
4. Tennessee Courtin' Time
5. Cottonmill
6. Whisper Baby
7. Hand Of Help
8. There Is A Time
9. The River
10. Hot Grease At Midnight
11. Four Wet Pigs & The Ham Chorus
12. Your Goodnight Is My Good-bye

1. Rocky Island
2. Shout Little Lulie
3. Battle Ax *
4. Pretty Girls, City Lights
5. Cripple Creek *
6. I've Got A Mule To Ride *
7. Old McDonald/Cindy *
8. Shady Grove *
9. John Henry
10. Little Birdie
11. Cuttin' The Cornbread
12. Bound To Ride
13. Married Life Blues *
14. Black-Eyed Susie *
15. Kentucky Shine *
16. True Blue Bill
17. Dixieland (My Old Home Town) *
18. Old-Time Pickin'

* Previously Unreleased

1. Crooked Man
2. The Streets Of Charlottetown
3. Lantern Bay Inn
4. Sojourner
5. I Remember Memphis
6. When We Come Home
7. Silverton
8. The Crime At Quiet Dell
9. These Tears
10. Ofer And Yesbuddy
11. Brunswick Stew
12. Thirteen Steps
13. I See God Coming Down The Road

I always think of Valerie and Becky as being
the Lucy and Ethel of Bluegrass. They were
entertaining as part of Liberty Pike but as a
double act, they are sensational. In fact, the
antithesis of Dailey & Vincent. It beggars the
question...why were they not nominated as
IBMA's Entertainer of the Year? They are both
excellent musicians but what is special about
them is they actually look like they are
enjoying their music and when you see them
live, it is infectious. There harmonies are a
throwback to the brother duos such as the
Louvins and may be unique in current music.
The thought of Valerie and Becky recording
Pop music is like the Pop becoming
Protestant: ain't gonna happen. These gals
are traditional through and through. I
particularly "Tennessee Courtin' Time" which
reminded me of The Andrews Sisters. Please
gals let's have a DVD of your act.

This is pure joy. It is difficult to believe that no
cut was recorded earlier than 1971 and most
were put down this millennium. Of particular
interest to Country music fans is the inclusion
of "Old Time Pickin' which features Keith
Whitley and Ricky Skaggs. Among the
sidemen can be found current Bluegrass
stars Charlie Sizemore, and James Alan
Shelton as well as Ralph Stanley II. For those
used to Scruggs style this makes a very
enjoyable change and is a must have for any
collection.

I've liked Chris' music from the getgo. I always
seem to miss him at IBMA but next year I'll
catch up with him. The one thing that always
put his CDs a cut above others is the quality
of the songs which in this case are written by
Chris, producer/banjo player, Janet Beazley
and fiddle player, Christian Ward. They are in
the tradition but come at you completely fresh.
I don't know if Chris is related to the Royal
House of Stuart, but there is something
reminiscent of the Gaellic folk music that
found favor through groups like Steeleye Span
in the 70's. This is very evident wiith "The
Streets Of Charlottetown." Janet possesses a
pure folk voice and her "Lantern Bay Inn" is a
standout. Particularly moving are Chris' vocals
on the gallows song, "Thirteen Steps." I'm
sure if Johnny Cash had been alive, he would
have wanted to cut it. A first rate album as one
has come to expect from Chris and
Backcountry.

VARIOUS ARTISTS

"MONEYLAND"

McCOURY MUSIC MCM 0005

PRODUCED BY ROB McCOURY, RONNIE
McCOURY AND STAN STRICKLAND
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: DEL McCOURY, DAVID
SAUNDERS AND STAN STRICKLAND

JEANETTE WILLIAMS

"THANK YOU FOR CARING"

BLUE CIRCLE BCR-007

PRODUCED BY JEANETTE WILLIAMS, WESLEY
EASTER AND JOHNNY WILLIAMS

ERNIE THACKER

"THE HANGMAN"

PINECASTLE PRC 1167

PRODUCED BY ROUTE 13 AND OTTIS LYNN DILLON
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TOM RIGGS

1. Fireside Chat, Part 1
(Franklin D. Roosevelt)
2. Breadline Blues 1932
(Bernard "Slim" Smith)
3. Moneyland
(Del McCoury Band)
4. Farmer's Blues
(Marty Stuart/Merle Haggard)
5. What Happened
(Merle Haggard)
6. Medley: I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At
Home/ I'd Rather Live By The Side Of The Road
(Mac Wiseman)
7. When I'm 64
(Del McCoury Band)
8. 40 Acres And A Fool
(Del McCoury Band)
9. A Train Not Running
(Chris Knight)
10. You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive
(Patty Loveless)
11. Mama's Hungry Eyes
(Emmylou Harris With Rodney Crowell)
12. Carry Me Across The Mountain
(Dan Tyminski)
13. If We Make It Through December
(Merle Haggard)
14. The Way It Is
(Bruce Hornsby & The Fairfield Four)
15. Breadline Blues 2008
(Del McCoury, Mac Wiseman, Tim O'Brien and
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings)
16. Fireside Chat, Part 2
(Franklin D. Roosevelt)

1. Enough Of You
2. Bad Money
3. Break The Chain
4. Thank You For Caring
5. Your Memory Wins Again
6. Dreamer
7. I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
8. Aloe
9. Blue Days, Sleepless Nights
10. Through The Eyes Of A Child
11. That's The Bottom Line
12. Either Way I'm Going Home
13. Everything's Blue
14. I Will Survive

1, The Ballad Of Charlie Dill
2. Detroit City Chill
3. This Drinkin' Will Kill Me
4. Friday Once Again
5. The Hangman
6. Keith How Many
7. I Wish You Knew
8. Church Upon The Hill
9. Pickin' Up The Pieces
10. Rollin' On These Rubber Wheels
11. Sunday Morning Coming Down
12. Word Of Mouth

With the economy being in such as melt
down as it is, this CD from Del McCoury
and his boys is a slap around the head
for politicians who are allowing the U.S.
to continue down the slippery slope.
Although Del attempts to be non
partisan, it's release at the advent of
hoped for change with a new President
shrieks out loud. The song selection
reminds Washington that it is not the fat
cats on Wall Street who need bailing
out but the farmers, miners and those
that have found their houses
foreclosed that need the help. Del
needs to go on CNN and talk about this
project. Yes, brother Del, it is time for
"a call to action for rural America." "If
We Make It Through December" has a
strange meaning now that we know that
the economy has to stagger on until the
end of 2008. It is most apt that the CD
opens and closes with a Fireside Chat
from FDR whose "New Deal" is what the
USA and for that matter the rest of the
world needs now.

I like Jeanette Williams. She has a no
frills voice that can be haunting as well
attitudinal in the way that Bobbie
Gentry was back in the 60's and 70's.
She can also be fragile as in "Break
The Chain," the story of child abuse.
Bluegrass has indeed gone a long way.
There a trio of knock out duets on the
CD: "Thank You For Caring" with
George Jones, "I Forgot More Than
You'll Ever Know" with Michelle Nixon
and "Everything's Blue" with Keith
Garrett. However, it is her Bluegrass
take on "I Will Survive" that is the tour
de force. This needs to be released as
a single. A great CD.

Back in 2006, Ernie was involved in a
nasty auto crash and in fact he still was
not well enough to be at IBMA 2008.
However, we do have the benefit of a
new CD from him and Route 13 and a
cracker it is. The group is augmented
by John Rigsby on fiddle and someone
needs to nominate him for a fiddler
award. Ernie has a very melodic voice
and it is shown to great effect on
"Friday Once Again." The one song
that he should have left alone is
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" which
does not work with the arrangement
given here. Fortunately, they
counterbalance with an excellent
rendition of the Louvins' "I Wish You
Knew."

DAVID PARMLEY & CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

"THREE SILVER DOLLARS"

PINECASTLE PRC 1168

PRODUCED BY DAVID PARMLEY AND DALE PERRY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TOM RIGGS

AUDIE BLAYLOCK AND REDLINE

"AUDIE BLAYLOCK AND REDLINE"

RURAL RHYTHMRHY-1042

PRODUCED BY AUDIE BLAYLOCK

SPECIAL CONSENSUS

"SIGNS"

PINECASTLE PRC 1169

PRODUCED BY BRENT TRUITT
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TOM RIGGS

1. Three Silver Dollars
2. What Can You See From Your Knees
3. Refill Of Your Love
4. Meadow On The Mountain (Where Mama Used To
Pray)
5. Winsborough Cotton Mill Blues
6. She's Lying In The Cold, Cold Ground
7. Ain't Gonna Let You Drag Me Down
8. Lilly Still Blooms In The Dell
9. Carolina Rain
10. Anniversary Of The Blues
11. That's Just Me
12. God Reached Down

1. Whispering Waters
2. Two Lonely Hearts
3. My Darling's Last Goodbye
4. Lonesome Weary Heart
5. You'll Never Be The Same
6. Send Me Your Address
7. My Blue Eyed Darling
8. Lonely River
9. Goodbye
10. Roll On Blues
11. Who'll Sing For Me?
12. Mountain Laurel In Bloom

1. Signs
2. Gone To Carolina
3. Too Late Now
4. Lonesome Lesson Learned
5. Footprints
6. Snowball Breakdown
7. I'll Go To My Grave Loving You
8. Talkin' Bout It Just Don't Make It Gone
9. Mountain Girl
10. Leaving This Old Town
11. My Heart Breaks Again
12. What A Beautiful Day (For The Lord To Come
Again)

I have liked David Parmley since his
days with his Daddy in the Bluegrass
Cardinals. Ron Stewart guests on fiddle
and man he is as hot as ever. I like the
take on Pete Seeger's "Winsborough
Cotton Mill Blues" but the biggest
surprise is David's recording of Country
singer Billy Currington's "That's Just
Me." This is a very competent album.

There is one problem that can emerge
when a singer produces himself. That
problem is that there is no one to tell
him when he is pitching off or when
harmonies don't quite hit the spot.
Unfortunately that has happened here.
Now understand, I have seen Audie
and Redline play live and enjoyed
them. So I was rather disappointed that
this CD didn't quite come up to snuff. I
realize that Audie occupies that
traditional ground but he also needs to
look wider for material otherwise the
result is formulaic. Sorry guys but I says
it how I hears it.

I always look forward to a new CD from
Greg and the boys. The boys may
change as the years go by but the
quality is always there. I particularly
liked the Adam and Shannon Wright
song "Too Late Now." The band have
Randy Kohrs, Sonya Isaacs and Tim
Crouch guesting but it is Ashby Frank's
mandolin that lifts the CD. The may be
the new kid on SC block but is definitely
one to watch. He and Greg's banjo
make some great musical patterns. As
always a winner.

PATRICK McAVINUE

"RUTLAND'S REEL"

PATUXENT MUSIC CD-174

NO PRODUCER LISTED

MARK DELANEY

"SIDECAR"

PATUXENT MUSIC CD-175

NO PRODUCER LISTED

JORDAN TICE

"LONG STORY"

PATUXENT MUSIC CD-176

NO PRODUCER LISTED

1. Rutland's Reel
2. With Body And Soul
3. Irish Spring
4. Skip Hop Wobble
5. Henry Rutland's Country Classic Waltz
6. Charleston No. 1
7. Down Yonder
8. Lonesome Without You
9. Rinky Dinky Do
10. No Longer A Sweetheart
11. Soppin' The Gravy
12. Old Dangerfield

1. Candlewood
2. Baby Blue Eyes
(Vocal: Charles Thompson)
3. McCormick String Picnic
4. Six Days On The Road
(Vocal: Bryan Deete)
5. Stepaway
6. Bird Bath
7. Fire In My Heart
(Vocals: Dede Wyland & Randy Barrett)
8. Black Diamond
9. Fireball Express
10. I'll Go Steppin' Too
11. Magneto
12. Who Done It?
(Vocals: Bryan Deete, Dede Wyland & Tom Mindte)
13. Susan's Garden
14. Let Me Walk Lord By Your Side
(Vocals: Tom Mindte, John Miller, Mark delaney &
Clarke Howard)

1. Locust Point
2. Salad Days
3. Song For Leslie
4. Sofia
5. Chincoteague
6. Ode To A Vending Machine
7. Beside The Little Lake
8. The Colony
9. 3 am
10. Coming To Life

Patrick is now esconced as Audie
Blaylock's fiddle player in Redline.
Audie also plays and sings on this CD
as does Michael Cleveland. Other
pickers are Barry Reid, Pete Kelly,
Bobby Goff, Jr., Chris Warner, Nate
Leath and Jesse Brock. The
instruments show off Patrick's ability
whilst the vocals tend to obscure his
talent. I particularly like Patrick's twin
playing with Michael Cleveland and
Nate Leath. Just one negative and that
has nothing to do with Patrick. Whilst
Michael G. Stewart's photographs show
flare, a little bit of lightening would stop
the booklet looking so sombre. The
same applies to Mark Delaney's CD
which is the next one up.

This is a good CD apart from comment
about the darkness of the photographs.
Alos, "Six Days On The Road" was
written by Carl Montgomery and Earl
Green and not Boxcar Willie. Backed by
Michael Cleveland, Audie Blaylock,
Jesse Brock and Barry Reid, Mark
proves to be a very talented banjo
picker. He is allowed to shine on both
instrumental ad vocal cuts. It is easy to
see why he is now a Country
Gentleman. I notice that Scott Vestal
did the mixing which may account for
the clarity on the banjo track. Hey
Scott, has Mark tried your Stealth
Banjo? This is definitely a "feel good"
CD and he does love his "shave and a
haircut" ending.

Those of you with long enough
memories will remember Pentangle and
Gordon Giltrap; while those with shorter
memories will recall Nickel Creek, David
Grisman and Tony Trischka. If you
were into those, then you will enjoy
Jordan Tice's latest CD. Among the
sideman are Casey Driessen, Andy Hall
and Mark Schatz and that alone says
quality. Jordan is still only 20 and I
tremble to figure out how good he will
be at 30. As enjoyable as this CD is,
and it is very enjoyable, I think we are
just seeing the embryo of a career that
is likely to be awesome. Listen to this
CD with the lights down late at night
and let the waves of melody sweep
over you. Got the message? Yes, I love
this CD.

NATE LEATH + FRIENDS

"ROCKVILLE PIKE"

PATUXENT MUSIC CD-177

PRODUCER: NATE LEATH & DANNY KNICELY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TOM MINOTE

DONNA ULISSE

"WALK THIS MOUNTAIN DOWN"

HADLEY MUSIC GROUP HMG1004

PRODUCED AND MIXED BY KEITH SEWELL

JETT'S CREEK

"SUPPOSED TO BE"

JETT'S CREEK NO CAT #

PRODUCED BY ANGIE YOUNG & ADAM McINTOSH

1. Ride Old Buck To Water
2. Wild Bill Jones
3. Richmond
4. Moonshiner
5. Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase
6. Boll Weevil
7. What Time Is It My Pretty Little Miss?
8. Miss McCloud's Reel/The Squirrel Hunters/St.
Anne's Reel
9. No One Knows My Name
10. Rockville Pike
11. Sittin' On Top Of The World
12. Greasy Coat
13. Rhythm Masters' Red Tag Waltz
14. Rosin On The Gourd

1. In My Wildest Dreams
2. Poor Mountain Boy
3. Dust To Dust
4. Love's Crazy Train
5. Walk This Mountain Down
6. The Trouble With You
7. Child Of The Great Depression
8. The Key
9. Lovin' Every Minute
10. I Lied
11. These Troubles
12. Everything Has Changed
13. Levi Stone

1. Highway 40 Blues
2. A Song For Life
3. The Prayer
4. God Must Be A Cowboy At Heart
5. Supposed To Be
6. Now I'm Through With You
7. You Don't Know My Mind
8. Your Haunting Goodbye
9. Two Ships
10. When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart
11. Why Don't You Tell Me So
12. I'll Be Back

Good old style Appalachian music is
the order of the day here. This means
you will either love it or hate it. When I
put it on, I had to check that I wasn't
playing a 70 rpm record. It has that old
feel to it. Even the vocals feel old. Very
enjoyable.

Back in 1991, Donna was a Country
singer on Atlantic and had a couple of
low level successes. I heard her at
IBMA last year and I do believe that she
is about to emerge as a major force in
Bluegrass. This CD on which she
co-wrote all the songs must be a
contender for awards this coming year.
Donna has surrounded herself with a
stellar group of musicians that include
producer Keith Sewell, Andy Leftwich,
Rob Ickes, Scott Vestal, Byron House,
Curtis Wright, Claire Lynch, Jerry
Salley, Wendy Buckner Swell and
husband and frequent co-writer, Rick
Stanley. My favorite cuts are "The
Trouble With You" which is a blend of
Bluegrass and funk and "These
Troubles" which a very haunting ballad
and the very hypnotic "Levi Stone."
Although not noted, I assume the duet
partner on the gospel track,
"Everything Has Changed" is Rick. One
of the best CDs you will hear this year.

This CD is a bit of a revelation. The
songs are split almost 50/50 between
covers and originals with the covers
including songs by Rodney Crowell and
Dan Seals as well as the more
traditional Lester Flatt and Jimmie
Skinner. Lead singer, Angie Young has
a died in the wool Bluegrass voice that
is whispy like Alison Krauss. This lends
itself to the stylish musicianship of
Adam and Jon McIntosh and Pearl
Bradley. However, guest musicians Tim
Kidd and Evan McGregor are important
to this CD that I wonder what the band
does on the road. Overall, this is a very
pleasing album. I hope they make it to
IBMA this year.