Appalachian music reviews

First, this is not the soundtrack to the Cold Mountain movie. That recording, released a year or so ago, featured talented modern musicians who recreated the 19th-Century music from the film and the Charles Frazier novel on which it was based. Back Roads to Cold Mountain covers much (and more) of the same material, except as it was done by authentic mountain musicians.

With one or two exceptions, these songs and tunes were alive during the Civil War. They survived into the early and mid-20th Century, to be rediscovered by folksong collectors. Most selections come from Folkways' deep archives, ably picked by John Cohen, whose recordings with the New Lost City Ramblers introduced many of us to the Appalachian tradition during the 1960s folk revival and after. Frazier himself, who provides the introduction to the enclosed booklet, explains how this music inspired his novel, set in Civil War-era North Carolina. Cohen's extensive liner notes and annotations are informative and engrossing.

Few of the musicians are likely to be familiar, though names like the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Roscoe Holcomb, and Tommy Jarrell will resonate with those who have at least passing knowledge of the tradition. The performances are always inspired, sometimes rawly emotional in a way that has vanished from today's music; sometimes a performance may be even a little frightening, for one dramatic example Oscar Parks's angry rant at the conclusion of the ballad "The Battle of Stone River." French Carpenter's fiddle tune "Camp Chase," on the other hand, aches with mournful beauty.

The sound quality, thanks to modern technology, is so perfectly executed that it serves to erase distance between listener and performer. Time and geography roll away, and you're right there on a back porch or a church bench, hearing the ballads, fiddle pieces, and hymns in person. There is a dark magic in this old music, and Back Roads evokes it brilliantly.

Playing Time - 37:07 -- Don't know about you but I like my bluegrass with plenty of vim and vigor. That's exactly the kind of tasty material that Darrell Webb serves up. However, I'm curious as to why he didn't lay in some vocal harmony on the opening cut, "I Beg You Little Darling Not to Cry," which was featured on Volume 73 of Prime Cuts of Bluegrass.

Webb is an expert guitarist, accomplished mandolin-player and also a vocalist with a great range. His experience includes working with JD Crowe & the New South, and Lonesome River Band. He replaced Dan Tyminski the first time that Dan left LRB and has done a couple stints with J.D. Crowe. Webb also has appeared on a couple of Dolly Parton's albums. Now, Darrell is playing in the popular bluegrass band called Wildfire (with Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale, Curt Chapman and Carry Crabtree).

Darrell's reputation as a songwriter is also well-known as some of his songs appear on CDs by Lonesome River Band and Lou Reid & Carolina. His originals on this CD include "Mother's Hand," "Imagine That," "Behind the Scenes," and "Get on the Path."

Back in 1998, Darrell's first solo album, "Webbsite," came out and was received with much critical acclaim. This West Virginian's latest endeavor, "Behind the Scenes" features a great cast -- Ron Stewart, Randy Kohrs, Beth Lawrence, Harold Nixon, Phil Leadbetter, Dolly Parton, Dwight McCall, Michael Cleveland, Richard Bennet, Shannon Slaughter, Megan Mccormick, Angela Oudean, Keisha Gillis and others. Dolly's lead vocals are featured on her composition, "Cold," and it's awesome to hear Stewart and Webb singing low harmonies with her.

Personal favorite tracks are "Thank You Father For My Dad" and "Imagine That." I guess the only thing I didn't really care much for were the CD's front and back out-of-focus photos. This album deserved better graphics to correlate with the music's professionalism. However, I'm sure that a market test indicated that a majority (as well as Darrell) liked that design for the cover of an album entitled "Behind the Scenes." Just take my advice and don't judge this book by its out-of-focus cover.

Darrell Webb's zeal for bluegrass is indisputable. What's evident on this CD are the soaring vocals, nimble-fingered breaks, and perfectly piquant songs that convey plenty of good taste. I can see why Darrell has been called one of bluegrass music's favorite entertainers. This album really packs a punch. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)