Search - Don Reno, Bill Harrell :: 20 Bluegrass Favorites!

Reno & Harrell originally released these 20 short cuts in 1

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 01/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 38:46 -- With over 50 years in business, Rural Rhythm Records has built a catalog that connects many dots from past to present. Since its 1955 creation, Rural Rhythm has released hundreds of classic performances by many legendary bluegrass and old-time musicians such as J.E. Mainer, Don Reno, Red Smiley, Mac Wiseman, Vassar Clements, Hylo Brown, Bill Harrell, Jim Eanes, and many others. This album is part of that archival catalog. The label owes its Arcadia, California start to Uncle Jim O'Neal. whose vision was to release the music of many top bluegrass and old-time musicians in the 1950-70s, seeking success where Starday had failed by producing records of limited appeal by lesser known, albeit talented, musicians. Produced by Mac Wiseman and Lee Sutton (the same visionary who captured the music of the legendary J.E. Mainer), this album captured the high quality work of Reno & Harrell and their band released originally in 1967 (Rural Rhythm LP# RR-171).



Guitarist Bill Harrell played and sang with banjo-player Don Reno for over a dozen years, and Don Reno kept the Tennessee Cut-ups together until his death in 1984. "20 Bluegrass Favorites" is a great introduction to his band's music that was very well received at the time. Don't expect elaborate arrangements or clarion studio recording quality we hear today. Most of the cuts span about 2 minutes apiece. Rather, just enjoy and relive a classic bluegrass sound of yesteryear. Don Reno's banjo break on "Footprints in the Snow" is worth the budget price of this album alone. There's in fiddle in the mix, and the choruses are just sung as duos. While Ronnie Reno plays mandolin, there aren't many breaks from him here. George Shuffler plays bass. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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