Search - Charlie Daniels :: Songs From the Longleaf Pine

Good Time Charlie Daniels goes Back to Musical Roots

B. Lynch | USA | 04/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of 'classic rock', 'southern rock', country & western, and bluegrass probably all like at least one song by Charlie Daniels. Over a career spanning nearly 40 years, Daniels has done it all -- and done it really well too. SO today, he's got fans all over the place -- from hippies, to bikers, a few metal-fans, and even punk rockers.



Instead of putting out a bland album that tries to please everyone, Charlie Daniels decided to return to his musical roots, and he's put out an album of bluegrass, and steeped it in his deep religious beliefs. This is one of those albums, however, that no matter what your views are on religion, impresses on its merits as a piece of music. There is something about a man who is not shy about his convictions and who holds them deep enough to sing about them, that is -- inspiring. Patriotism, humanitarianism, and faith really do enrich the songs on this CD. Unlike a lot of artists who put put "Christian albums", there is nothing here that repudiates Charlie Daniels' big hit songs ("Devil Went Down to Georgia", "Uneasy Rider", "Long Haired Country Boy", "Still In Saigon", "Simple Man", etc.). All of thse songs would fit right in with aany of his prior work. This is because, unlike a lot of other artists, Charlie Daniels does not have a long past that needs to be rejected.



I am not sure if Charlie Daniels ever considered being a pracher, but his readings of biblical verses and other words here give listeners the impression that he might try it one day.



The album opens with a bible verse, followed by "Walking in Jerusalem" (echoes "Hear Jerusalem Moan", off of the Nitty Gritty DIrt Band's CIRCLE-II album). Several familiar bluegrass standards (including "How Great thou art", "I'll Fly Away", "Working On a Building") are included. Unlike many deeply religious people, Daniels does not regard himself (as a devout Christian) needing to tell others how to live, nor to reject enjoyment in his own life. And the old 'good time' Charlie returns, and delivers remakes of familiar tunes that might become hits again, including "Keep On The Sunny Side", "I'll FLy Away", and "The Old Crossroads". Still, as Daniels reminds listeners: integrity and honesty matter, personally and professionally.



Guest appearances by Earl Scruggs, Chris Tile, Ricky Skaggs, and Cyndi Wheeler give the CD a high-gloss and professional credentials that should raise its visibility, despite being on an obscure gospelrecord label. This CD is a strong testament to deep and lasting values. It's also an excellent addition to any music collection.











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Charlie taps bluegrass gospel roots with standard fare

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 04/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 32:14 -- At one time, the name Charlie Daniels conveyed images of southern boogie music, and his hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" immediately comes to mind. The fact is that Daniels has bluegrass roots and has even done session work with Flatt and Scruggs (as well as the likes of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Marty Robbins and Ringo Starr) during his long successful music career. With this bluegrass gospel project, Charlie admits that he now has the "freedom to do some things I've been wanting to do for a while and to come full circle and get back to the music I started out making."



At 68 years old now, the son of a North Carolina lumberjack has chosen to use top bluegrass artists to accompany him on a collection of gospel songs. Charlie plays guitar, fiddle and sings lead on all but "Keep on the Sunny Side" (sung by Mac Wiseman), the one cut which comes off a little loose like a jam among friends. Nine of the 13 tracks feature the GrooveGrass Boyz (Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Mike Bub, Andy Hall, Tim May and Scott Rouse).



Other guest musicians include Earl Scruggs (3 cuts) and Chris Thile (2 cuts). Earl's fingerpicked guitar on "Preachin', Prayin', Singin'" is a treat. Thile is the sole accompanying musician on two recitations, "The 91st Psalm" and "The 23rd Psalm." The arranged instrumental grooves on "I Found a Hiding Place" and "I'm Working on a Building" really cook. Besides Daniels, the other vocalists include Mac Wiseman, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Cyndi Wheeler, and Scott Rouse. Vocal standouts include "Softly and Tenderly" (a duet with Cyndi Wheeler) and "Walking in Jerusalem" (with The Whites).



Daniels picks standard fare for this collection, written by Bill Monroe, A.P. Carter, Albert E. Brumley, Chris Thile and others. A noted songwriter himself, I was left wondering if Daniels has penned many gospel songs. If so, some of those along with some less commonly heard material would have enhanced this album. At only 32 minutes, the CD concludes rather quickly. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Charlie Daniel's Different Bluegrass Style

Avid Mystery Reader | Baltimore Maryland | 09/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is not for the die hard traditional bluegrass fan. It has a few good songs on it in the bluegrass tradition but has a contemporary sound by and large. For those of you who are familiar with Charlie Daniels it will be comforting that he adds his same spin and "rustic and lively" sounds to some of these gospel classics. It is an album that grows on you the more you listen to it."