COUNTRY AMERICANA reviews
Ricky Skaggs Otis Gibbs Tish Hinojosa
Best Of The Sugar Grandpa Walked A Our Little Planet
Hill Years Picket line
Continental Song City
Sugar Hill Wannamaker Records
CSCCD1049
SHCD4045 WANNAMAKER1
DK
DK SC
For a number of years, clear-voiced singer/
Ricky’s impressive pre-solo career took him from Having “fanning the flames of discontent”, at
songwriter Tish has specialized in her own
Ralph Stanley sideman to Country Gentleman, the top of his myspace page is a good sign and
personal blend of contemporary folk with
also encompassing recordings with Keith it’s doubtless this kind of attitude that has led
Tex-mex, bluegrass and country flavours. Her
Whitley and a stint in Emmylou’s Hot Band. to the support slot on Billy Bragg’s UK tour this
latest offering, recorded with long-term musical
He brought a broad-based musical virtuosity to autumn.
partner Marvin Dyckhuis (mandolin, guitar and
bluegrass, gospel and country and his role as
vocal harmonies), brings a further collection
torch-bearer for this rootsier music was key to
Impressively bearded, he has the look of a
of entirely likeable, elegantly-expressed songs
the early success of the Sugar Hill label.
trucker with baseball cap welded in place.
that deal gently yet memorably with romantic
The CD in its utilitarian brown board package,
concerns, couched in fairly stripped-back
This sensible retrospective charts Ricky’s Sugar with what looks like a wood print design of a
instrumental colours.
Hill years, taking four cuts from the landmark man addressing a skeletal looking gaggle of
album with pioneering band Boone Creek that protesters against a factory back drop, is very
I Hope Forever You’ll Be Mine has all the simple
formed the label’s debut release, two from effective.
appeal of a Carter Family number, Turned My
Ricky’s first solo album Sweet Temptation,
Heart Away is a neatly crafted country ballad
three from his duet album with Tony Rice, and
His voice is a bear growl and with a crack team
(with idiomatic pedal steel by Greg Leisz) and
a couple of less obvious but no less welcome
marshalled by producer Chris Stamey, this CD
the heartfelt, accordion-backed Mi Pueblo
choices drawn from more obscure releases,
surprises. Gibbs has an astute way of making
could melt away any opposition. The catchy It’s
including Ricky’s duet with Sharon White on
the political personal that keeps you hooked.
Good To Love Someone and We Mostly Feel
Townes van Zandt’s If I Needed You (from
The polemic is neatly camouflaged by tales of
That Way both exhibit more of a pop sensibility
the Seldom Scene 15th anniversary album).
truck drivers (Beto Junction), snake–oil conmen
perhaps, while Count Me In is an easy-rollin’
This great little collection sure encourages
(Preacher Steve) and a cast of characters that
honky-tonker on which label-mate Dale Watson
reassessment of Ricky’s original Sugar Hill
breathe real life through the songs.
guests (as do Carrie Rodriguez and Rosie
releases. “He’s carrying on the tradition”
Flores elsewhere). A charming and disarmingly
straightforward record.
“Blows the loudest rock’n’roll band away
Billy Bragg
with sheer energy”
“A rare gift for melody that’s perfect for
Rock’n’Reel Lisa Redford
Hinojosa’s lovely, relaxed soprano”
Clouds with Silver
Washington Post
Drew Emmitt
Long Road
Parrot Records
Cherryholmes
PR1152008
Compass Records
Cherryholmes III:
COM 4487
AL Don’t Believe
JHS
Skaggs Family Records
Recorded in New York City and Norfolk (UK),
SKFR2020
with string overdubs in Nashville and co-
Revered as one of the most innovative
produced by Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright,
JTR
mandolin players on the newgrass scene today,
Teddy Thompson), Lisa has been able to call on
Drew Emmitt’s third album also highlights the
a pool of The Big Apple’s most talented players
This misleadingly titled album from the
fact that he is no slouch when it comes to song
to flesh out her acoustic ballads. Four of the
Nashville family group is actually their fifth, and
writing. He contributes seven of the eleven
eleven self written songs are also enriched by
finds the band still ploughing ahead with the
tracks, with Into The Distance and Beat Of
some beautiful string arrangements, provided
same momentum that kick-started their career
The World being outstanding examples of his
by one of Nashville’s most highly regarded
back in 1999.
skills, chronicling over 25 years on the road as a
producers, David Henry (Josh Rouse, Alison
touring musician.
Krauss, REM) and violinist and Ryan Adams
For those not yet in the know, think of a high-
cohort Claudia Chopek.
octane Union Station with six lead vocalists and
Guests on the album include bluegrass royalty
you’ve got a rough idea of their sound. This is
Stuart Duncan and Tim O’ Brien, Chris Pandolfi
There’s an immediate connection to the
dyed in the wool bluegrass with an “if it ain’t
and Andy Hall (The Infamous Stringdusters) also
emotional territory of the songs, which imbues
broke” attitude. And broke it ain’t…
lending their skills. Take The Highway shows
an easy familiarity and regular listeners to Bob
that Drew also has a love of that Southern Rock
harris will already know Lisa’s voice, with its
The title track is a masterclass in old-time
jamband sound, this track originally performed
subtle tremolo and classic country lilt. Infused
songwriting, matching frantic virtuosity with
by the Marshall-Tucker Band.
with a real intimacy on tracks like NY Song, Call
longing harmony vocals. Broken adds brooding
Me and the melancholic New Year’s Day and
chamber strings to a dark mountain waltz, while
This is a winning mix of bluegrass, straight
The Boy Who…, she can also up the volume for
instrumental track Sumatra is a blaze of fiddle,
ahead country and deep Southern rock and
songs like the anthemic Makes Your Heart Sing
banjo and guitar that finds the family gelling as
there’s also a great cover of the Supertramp
and the band driven When You Come Home.
barnstorming masters of the genre.
hit Take The Long Way Home, adding another
This is classy and assured. Lisa is one to watch
pleasing surprise into the road themed mix.
Not bad for a band with four members who
for sure.
only picked up their instruments less than a
www.drewemmitt.com
“A sensational breeze of fresh air”
decade ago!
Maverick
www.cherryholmes.net
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