Appalachian music reviews

Originally released only as a private pressing and sold only at concerts, this 1956 recording is a welcome addition to the Stanley Brothers catalog. As explained in the liner notes by producer Larry Ehrlich, "after a long day of radio shows, barn dances, hog auctions and the like," Ehrlich took Carter and Ralph Stanley into the WCYB studios around midnight and set up a mike and turned on the tape recorder. Accompanied by Curly Lambert on mandolin and Ralph Mayo on fiddle, what transpires is nothing short of magic.

These twenty tracks were recorded in a single take and run the gamut from the uptempo numbers like "Meet Me Tonight" to death-song ballads like "The Story of the Lawson Family" to gospel numbers like "Drifting Too Far From the Shore." There are also a number of instrumentals, many of which are banjo showcases for Ralph Stanley like "Shout Little Lulie" and "John Henry."

If you are a fan of bluegrass music in general or the Stanley Brothers in particular, this is a welcome addition. [Running time - 47:30] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

It's a nice surprise when archivists dig up something new on well-known; doubly so when the material expands our view of their careers. This disc, previously only available on vinyl at Ralph Stanley's gigs, provides welcome new details on the roots of one of bluegrass music's greatest acts.

In 1956 the Stanley Brothers were at the height of their powers, with a repertoire that had expanded across a series of records for Mercury. This performance, recorded in an off-air Bristol, Virginia radio studio is an intimate recitation of their roots, laid down with no audience beside the engineers, and with no planning beyond a career's worth of practice. The brothers wander easily through their catalog - all first takes, with no set list - testifying to the power of brotherly bonds and countless nights on the road.

The brothers' stage and radio performances have been well documented (notably by Copper Creek's out-of-print 11-disc "Stanley Series" and Rebel's "On Radio"), but this private recording is something very different. Without no audience to please, the Stanley's ad-libbed a song list weighted heavily towards their personal favorites - songs not often included in their stage or recording repertoires, and only three of which they'd previously waxed. Their selections reach back to folk standards learned in childhood and formative works by the Delmore and Monroe Brothers.

Highlights include tales of family tragedy, "Come All You Tenderhearted" and "The Story of the Lawson Family," both chilling in their knowing details of death and murder, and a stupendous duet of "Orange Blossom Special." The latter, in particular, shows off the brotherly bond that allows their vocals to careen in tandem around the song's mountain curves. Ralph's banjo drives the solo "Shout Little Lulie" (reportedly the first song his mother taught him) and "Little Birdie."

This intimate snapshot stakes The Stanley Brothers' claim as among the greatest harmony duos in bluegrass history. Carter Stanley's voice defines the high, lonesome sound of bluegrass, and combined with his brother's tenor harmonies, the two voices stick together like magnets. Carter's introductions provide occasional context, but mostly the brothers focus on each other. Mandolin player Curly Lambert adds additional harmonies, and fiddler Ralph Mayo adds the aching blue notes to this superb volume of mountain soul.

Simply sublime. Recorded in an after-hours session at Bristol, VA radio station WCYB, this twenty song set captures bluegrass legends Ralph and Carter Stanley at the peak of their fame, in March, 1956, playing in a relaxed, informal setting that emphasizes the their softer, folkier side. Station engineer Larry Ehrlich asked the brothers to play some of their favorite traditional songs, and while they still wound up performing several of their own original songs, the bulk of the album is material that were a little off the beaten track for the Stanleys, and has a haunting quality that will make you sit up and take notice. Although many of these tunes would become part of their regular repertoire, these versions have a more subdued, old-fashioned feel than in their more polished, popular studio renditions. On shorter instrumental numbers such as "John Henry," the band shows that size isn't everything: in 76 seconds they rip through the melody, with some notably slick banjo playing by Ralph, with dazzling accompaniment throughout; even goofy novelty numbers like "My Long Skinny Lanky Sarah Jane" show the breadth of the band's entertainment repertoire. Mandolinist Curly Lambert and fiddler Ralph Mayo provide some sweet, understated accompaniment... Nice stuff!

This is a fine CD. Hazel & Alice sing in lean and almost abrupt lines, peculiarly American, and their original songs are startling and beautiful. There's nothing outwardly prettified about the music - it's hard and strong and heartbreaking. But that directness frees ruminative sentiment to run deep through each song and allows these two artists to construct music that resonates meaningfully. Alice uses some unique banjo tunings, and their vocals practice the expected Appalachian flat tuning method with unexpected warmth and intimacy. 'A Few More years Shall Roll', taken from the Primitive Baptist Hymn Book, especially shows an unrivalled vocal mastery. This is the only Hazel and Alice disc I've heard, but would be inclined to try others.

Hazel Dickens has one of the finest American voices heard since Maybelle Carter. Her songs will tear your heart out. These are authentic "rural white folks blues" tunes, some of which reflect 1970's issues, ie, women's rights, war, etc.

If you love American rural music, un-shrinkwrapped, this is the album.
Evangeline G. Jupiter, Florida

Hazel and Alice have given us a truly remarkable legacy with their three albums. This one, their second, stands out to me as remarkably pure and taut. The songs are touching, deep, and political- not in the typical confrontational way. It's a subltle, grass-roots politics with feminist undertones. The first song, "Mining Camp Blues" is a traditional mining ballad. The second speaks of the kindness of strangers. The song "The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia" is sublimely beautiful- a touching poem about the ravages of exploitation and "hard times" in West Virginia. The old primitive Baptist hymn "A Few More Years Shall Roll" is striking, bleak, and poignant. "Two Soldiers", also recorded by Bob Dylan, is no less than enchanting. "The Sweetest Gift a Mother's Smile" tells of a woman's love for her son in prison- a love that cannot be shaken by his misshaps. Two songs by Hazel Dickens- "My Better Years" and "Don't Put her Down You Helped Put Her There"- speak for women's issues. Alice's beautiful "Custom Made Woman Blues" also reiiterates the feminist undertones found throughout the album. Alice also penned "You Gave Me a Song", a wonderful old- timey tune. "Pretty Bird" is an acapella piece sung by Hazel. The theme is freedom- from oppression and injustice. The last piece, the instrumental "Gallop to Kansas", composed by Alice, ends the album with a beautiful and mysterious wisp. This is art, pure and simple. The timelessness of these pieces and the themes that resound in their words stand as a testament to the work and artistry so meticulously cultivated by these two artists. Cheers to Hazel and Alice!

I have become very selective in the music I listen to. I will admit that I do have a wide range of music that I like and will listen to when I am in certain moods, but THIS is the kind of music that I will always come home to. It is clean and unpretentious and a pleasure to listen to.

Song of the Hills: Instrumental Impressions of America's Heartland is music that I am proud of. I realize there might be others who believe this music antiquated and boring... to that sentiment I would say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Another reviewer said it best when he wrote: "a genuine "Who's Who" of acoustic musicians -- have rendered these interpretations with great skill and love."

If traditional music resonates in your soul then Song of the Hills will be a worthwhile addition to your music collection.

Songs include:

Tom Bigbee Waltz - Jay Ungar/Molly Mason/John Sebastian
The Water Is Wide - John Doan/Brian Keane
Midnight On The Water - Jay Ungar/Molly Mason
Seneca Square Dance - Jay Ungar/Molly Mason/Peter Blue/Brian Keane
Footprints In The Snow - Bill Keith/Tony Trischka/Eric Weissberg/Ken Kosek/Stacy Phillips/Molly Mason
Sweet Sunny South - Stacy Phillips/John Sholle
Shenandoah - Brian Keane
The Greenwood Tree - Norman Blake/Nancy Blake
Shady Grove - Alan Feldman/Ken Kosek/Lorraine Lee/Dan Barrett
Charles Giteaux - Norman Blake/Nancy Blake
Man Of Constant Sorrow - Eric Weissberg/Brian Keane
Darling Cora - Eric Weissberg
When First Unto This Country - John Sebastian/Jay Ungar/John Whelan/Molly Mason
Wagoner's Lad - John Sebastian/Brian Keane

This is some of the most beautiful music you will ever hear. Top notch musicians Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Nancy Blake, Eric Weissberg, and John Sebastian play beautiful, spare, acoustic melodies that evoke America's rural and Appalachian past. The total effect is so lovely and authentic that the listener feels transported to a gentler time and place. The songs are perfectly sequenced so that the music seems to flow like an unrippled river. The mood is soothing and meditative. I've noticed that my two cats come into the room, curl up, and seem to listen when this CD is playing. I've listened to these melodies intently in a focused way. I've also just let them play in the background while doing other things. Either way, it works. There's not a wrong note on this album. My particular favorites are "The River is Wide", "Shenandoah", "Man of Constant Sorrow", and "Wagoner's Lad", which showcases John Sebastian's haunting harmonica. I give this CD two thumbs up, and my cats (Rum Tum and Geordie) give it four paws up!

This album is really fine. The fiddle playing is excellent and the content of music is distinctly American. To all those folk music lovers this is really a great album.

If you like military tunes and marches, this 2-CD is a good choice. The orchestration is good, it is well played and the quality of recording is good. If you like this kind of music, it is a good choice to buy.

I have the CD at home and the songs sound fabulous. I've heard the Houston Symphony's version of the Star Spangled Banner many times on TV as this anthem has been used at sign-off (when this was happening). It's as powerful a version you'll hear. Probably the finest patriotic music CD you can find out there.

Loved the CD! I am buying it to use with a Musical Freestyle Ride for a Quadrille. A horse oriented endeaver. The music will be perfect to bring positive patriotism to fairs and fund raisers for NYC.

And I'm sure you've heard that before. But this is the record to do what very few people do today, pick up a CD from an unknown artist, then realize you love it and bask in the glow of your renewed faith in music. "Williamsburg," lives up to its tag line, offering you the opportunity to "Hear the Real Thing"... a band born of the partnership between talented musicians, playing what they love, and what you will too.

I got on board to this CD from thier loyal fans. I usually am not into original material from newcomers, but Kelly's music is great. It has kick-up music to beautiful blues like ballads. I can't wait for thier next CD and highly recommend this one!

very cool music. I'm an aficionado of acoustic rock, so this really struck a cord (excuse the pun) with me.

I know that these guys are fairly newcomers -- the band's chemistry works..the songwriting talent is there and probably will get better with age and experience.

Not a trendy band. These guys will be around for a long time to come.

This album has 12 old and beloved hymns. They are played so pleasantly, yet not errevently. I would love to have every album that Jim Hendricks makes.

This album has a wonderful selection of old-fashioned hymns that we know and love. The music is so pleasant without being irreverent. I'm so happy to have this album.

I would like to purchase this cd, how do I get it?

I want to order another CD of A Sunday Homecoming and cannot find any in our local stores. How do I get one.

I hope that someone who has this can answer a question for me... I am thinking about buying this and I wonder if this is a compilation cd put together by Jim Hendricks or if he performs all of these songs.

If it's a compilation, would anyone consider posting the artists for me?

Thanks in advance!

I bought this tape in Georgia a long time ago, wore it out and when I went back the place I got it from was gone. I love this music, if you like old time music you will love this tape or CD.

I was very, very disappointed in this CD. I bought it based upon the recommendations here at Amazon, but it makes me wonder....I recommend from now on to listen to a snippet before you buy. Her voice just sounded very, very amateurish to me. It sounded like so typically of somebody singing at a small town country fair. I wish her luck, but I think she will have an appeal to people looking for the same ol', same ol' small town overly trilled voice.

Like any truly resonant work of art, this music not only evokes the experiences of the creator, but creates an alchemy in the mind of the audience, calling forth one's own dreams and memories. Many of these songs weave such strong moods that I can listen to them over and over.

"The Quiet Lands of Erin," one of my favorite tracks, is haunting and evocative. I have a lovely version on an old LP, but I prefer Kristine's new rendition. The simple sounds of water, birds, and the laughter of children set the scene of a pristine, isolated, rocky shore imprinted deep in the memory, and a love of place as romantic as any human love. The mournful harmonies of Kristine's voice and gentle, unobtrusive instrumentals fuse perfectly with the melancholy longing of the words.

In "One Is the Sun," the exotic drone of a didgeridoo quickly pulls you into a sort of child's rhyme/environmental prayer, combining the reassuring simplicity and soothing tunes of lullaby with all-too-observant words warning of the danger of our present path, as "two-hearted people," and a heartfelt Cheyenne prayer from Kristine's adoptive grandfather adding spiritual resonance.

"Winds of Time," my other favorite track, for me paints a strong, poignant picture, half imagination, half memory. The subtle percussion seems to echo raindrops on the window pane or crackling fire in the room behind, pressing one's face against the cool glass pane, looking out into a dim present scene and still seeing and feeling the emotion for a love from the past. Here again, a synthesis of mood, melody, instrumentation, and the meaning of the words show a true artist at work--one whose future creations I look forward to.

Reading some of these reviews reminds me once again of how subjective taste is, especially in the aesthetic area, and what it is I think a review should hopefully accomplish--point out the strengths and weaknesses of a work for the benefit of artist, but more particularly, for the audience. I.e., it is all very well to express one's love or hate for something, but more useful to help others figure out whether they will love or hate it.

The dislike of reviewers who criticize this lovely CD for being what it is, rather than something else, seems rather pointless to me, but I do agree with one thing: The best way to know if you will enjoy Kristine's music is to listen to the available audio samples before buying. In fact, I rarely buy a CD anymore if audio samples are not available. On Amazon, you can get free downloads of three of the songs that are fairly representative of the different types of music on this album--an original, contemporary piece (By Your Side), a Celtic piece (Quiet Lands of Erin), and an original, Native American-themed piece (Sacred Night). However, in my opinion, Sacred Night is not the strongest such piece on the album; the lyrics are not as interesting as in other original songs. I prefer One is the Sun (see detailed comments above) and the title piece, Everchanging Tides. Samples of more of the songs are also available at the CD Baby website, including those two, as well as Seacht n'Dolas na Maighdine Muire (The Seven Sorrows of Mary), one of the traditional Celtic songs sung in Gaelic. There is also more information available at the artist's website (which I accessed directly via CD Baby), including a link to a new online video to the song One is the Sun, which I also really enjoyed.

There's something extraordinarily exciting about finding a new talent, especially in unexpected places. I first heard Kristine's voice at a Celtic faire and thought, "I love this woman's voice. I hope she records someday." Three or four years later, my wife brought home Kristine Robin's EVERCHANGING TIDES. My first thought after hearing it for the first time was, "This is surely a voice that was shaped by angels!" It was obvious that Kristine had matured and perhaps had some great voice training since I first heard her. This was far better than I remembered. There are several places in this CD where Kristine's solos soar exquisitely, and in soaring they carry me as if on wings. I dislike that overused word "transformative," but it accurately describes what I experience. Coming from many different influences, from Native American to Celtic, this CD has a special texture all its own--which may puzzle or even confuse some purists. But when you take this CD in as a whole, it actually showcases the wide range of a singer and song writer whose talent cannot be confined to any single tradition. My wife and I have purchased over 20 copies of this CD over the past year or so, to give to friends. All I ever hear is raves from the people who've received these gifts. If you are excited by discovering new talent, I highly recommend this artist. The production itself is highly professional in every way, from the cover to the notes to the recordering quality itself.

This CD has seven tracks, six of which use an identical music theme. It's a melachony tune using synthetic sounds. I was so disappointed. I'd really, really have to like the theme in order to be satisfied hearing it six times over.
The little bit of birds and water are so overpowered by the music that it really doesn't seem right to categorize it as an couldn't get through even one complete track.
Do yourself a favor and make sure you sample it before you buy. My computer won't play the amazon music samples so I bought it based off of positive ratings. For me a complete waste of money. I'll mail it to you for free just to get it off my shelf.

I often put this on when I want to be lulled to sleep slowly. It creates a beautiful mood that soothes, soothes, soothes.

This cd is one of those cd's that takes me away to the actual mountains. The music is just plain nice and the nature sounds enhances the gentle mood. If you love listening to the sounds of nature, this CD is for you. You feel as if you're sitting on a rock near a stream or hiking through the woods, and camping at night near a fire. The sounds of birds, crickets, water, frogs, loons, and fire makes this cd something to consider. A fine addition to the Dan Gibson Solitudes collection. Listen to the samples and decide.