CHRISTMAS AT COUNTY SALES 2002

Part 3

SH-3946 DOLLY PARTON "Halos and Horns" Ms. Parton is obviously quite comfortable with a Bluegrass setting, as this is her third such effort for Sugar Hill and all three of them have been artistic and commercial successes. Dolly has written 12 of the 14 songs here, and as usual, they are well crafted and beautifully presented, with solid backup work by a band that includes Randy Kohrs, Brent Truitt, Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle) and Terry Eldredge among others. RAVEN DOVE, HELLO GOD, JOHN DANIEL, SUGAR HILL, IF ONLY, THESE OLD BONES, I'M GONE, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50 Cassette: $ 8.00

CHR-534 COUNTRY HAM "Diamonds in the Rough" Another fine album of 16 songs & tunes by this band that is led by Carl & Judie Pagter, with Joe Meadows playing fiddle. Very much like their previous records, this one features their distinctive sound that combines elements of old-time, country and Bluegrass. PIG IN A PEN, BE THANKFUL, NEW FIVE CENTS, BLACK JACK DAVY, APACHE, ORPHAN CHILD, HORSE AND BUGGY, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

MASTER-0067 VARIOUS ARTISTS "Bluegrass From Nashville" This relatively new label (Mastershield) has what in effect is a sampler here, though from the notes it's hard to tell exactly whom they are trying to push. The basic group seems to consist of David Coffey, Doug Bartlett, Tim Sands and Tina Adair. Most of the songs are Coffey originals and they are well arranged, sung and played, with excellent backing by a host of top-notch musicians including Sammy Shelor, Stuart Duncan, Rickie Simpkins, Kenny Smith, Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Randy Kohrs and others. LONG WAY TO VIRGINIA, YOURS TRULY, THIS OLE GUITAR, HEADING WEST, ARE YOU THE ONE, PAYING FOR IT ALL, REFILL, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

PRC-1120 NOTHIN' FANCY "Once Upon A Road" This Virginia band led by singer/guitarist Mike Andes further establishes its growing reputation with this excellent 12 song collection that is nicely produced by Don Rigsby. 8 of the 12 songs are written by Andes, with the title song (probably the strongest cut on the CD) penned by Dixie & Tom T. Hall. The picking here is strictly traditional, but Andes' smooth, almost trained voice gives the record more of a contemporary feel. SIGN OF THE TIMES, MAKE ME A PALLET, THE LIGHT CAME SHINING DOWN, I'M RUNNING AWAY, DO NOT PASS ME BY, GRAVELTOWN ROAD, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

TENEN-2002 MOLLY TENENBAUM "Instead of A Pony" Nicely played claw-hammer banjo by Ms. Tenenbaum on an excellent program of 19 well-chosen tunes. She is accompanied appropriately on many of the tracks by Rich Hartness, Cliff Perry or the Queen City Bulldogs, and sings on about a third of the pieces. Fine versions of SWEET MILK AND PEACHES and others. HOUSE CARPENTER, LITTLE BIRDIE, BRANSON CO. RAG, SHADY GROVE, CABIN CREEK, COLUMBUS, OLD DAN TUCKER, HIGH PAPER COLLAR, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

TT-002 ROD MOAG & TEXAS GRASS "Come & Dine" Competent, honest Bluegrass gospel by Texan Moag and this 4-piece band (Earl Garner guests on fiddle). 13 songs include SING HALLELUJAH, TRUE WITNESS, HEAVEN, SOMETHING GOT HOLD OF ME, YOU GO TO YOUR CHURCH, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

PC-1002 JIM TOLLES AND MAGIC TRUCK "Hard For To Love" A generous helping of 17 old-time flavored cuts by Tolles, who plays fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass (and sings). On a few tracks he is joined by Paul Carpenter on harmony vocals. Pleasant, solid picking and singing on THE CUCKOO, LADY OF CARLISLE, PAUL & SILAS, EAST VIRGINIA, RALEIGH AND SPENCER, OH FATHER, FAREWELL, BILLY IN THE LOW GROUND, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

ROU-0506 O SISTER 2 "A Women's Bluegrass Collection" Thanks to the O'Brother phenomenon, the Rounder label has been able to take advantage of a huge potential new audience, and this new 21-song compilation is their second big selling release in this series. Attractively packaged, the songs vary in quality, but there is enough top-flight music to make the release a fine sampler. The tracks are taken from various Rounder CD's, and feature such artists as Lynn Morris, Alison Krauss, Hazel Dickens, Wilma Lee Cooper, Rhonda Vincent, Ola Belle Reed and Claire Lynch. Songs: HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN, HEY LONESOME, TALL PINES, DON'T NEGLECT THE ROSE, HIDEAWAY, WILLOW, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

REB-0603 VALERIE SMITH & LIBERTY PIKE "No Summer Storm" For her third album, Valerie Smith has gone to an all-Bluegrass format, which will likely make many new fans, while still satisfying a solidly established audience that loves everything she does. She has a knack for finding good songs and is equally at home with uptempo vignettes like SAWMILL MAN and JACOB SPENCE, poignant ballads like the marvelous title song, and lovely nostalgic songs like WHERE THE BLUEBELLS GROW. There's a lot of variety here, and it's all tied together beautifully by Ms. Smith, who has a wonderful way with a song. A fine recording by a great singer. SIT DOWN & CRY, LORD I'M READY NOW, SARAH, LOVE WAGON, WALK AWAY, LET'S LET IT GO. Available on CD: $ 13.50

SH-3935 DOC WATSON AND FROSTY MORN "Round The Table Again" Watson is joined by his grandson Richard, plus T. Michael Coleman on bass on this 16-track album that was recorded live at Wilkes Community College, site of the annual Merle Fest. The album is heavy on Blues, and like everything associated with Doc is solid, straightforward, good music. CC RIDER, SHE'S SO SWEET, SUGAR BABE, ON A MONDAY, LYNCHBURG TOWN, COURT ON HIGH, WORKING MAN BLUES,WALKIN IN JERUSALEM, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50

REB-1775 RALPH STANLEY II "Stanley Blues" Having been surrounded since birth with singers like Keith Whitley, Roy Lee Centers and Charlie Sizemore, it is no wonder that Ralph Stanley the 2nd -still in his early 20s- has developed into a fine singer, equally at home with hard-core Bluegrass and softer country. This, his 3rd solo LP shows an excellent artist whose voice & style continue to mature. Joined by the Clinch Mountain Boys on a nice selection of songs (that include a couple of Stanley standards and some new material) Ralph II has his most satisfying album to date. SHIP GONE ASTRAY, JEALOUSY, HOMEWARD BOUND, FOUR HORSEMEN, TAYLOR BROOKE, DADDY'S DINNER BUCKET, WE'LL BE SWEETHEARTS IN HEAVEN, etc. Available on CD: $ 13.50 Cassette: $ 8.00

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