At last Vanguard has seen fit to re-issue all of the 24 pieces that the Country Gentlemen recorded for the label in its brief 2-year stint away from the Rebel label during 1973-74. The group was as strong as ever at the time, featuring Charlie Waller, Doyle Lawson, Bill Emerson and Bill Yates, with Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas added to the band for the 1974 session. Though the band's sound was top-notch throughout the two sessions, the most memorable tracks are mostly from the first album, and include fine versions of PARADISE SOUVENIRS, CATFISH JOHN, TRAVELLING KIND, HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, ONE MORNING IN MAY, CASEY'S LAST RIDE, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS and a later version of BRINGING MARY HOME. It's great to have this key material available again, all on one powerful CD. Other songs include WILLOW CREEK DAM, HOME IN LOUISIANA, DELTA QUEEN etc.
