Search - Mark Newton :: Follow Me Back to the Fold

Mark Newton's Realization Revisited

Mr. Cary Allen Virgin | San Diego,CA USA | 09/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Mark Newton had completed his excellent solo debut,"Living In A Dream," he was hit by the sudden realization that there wasn't a single woman involved. Mark appreciates the contribution women have made to the genre, and decided to do something about it. So, after two years of hard work his dream has been realized! Please allow me to list a few of the bluegrass luminaries of the female persuasion involved in the making of this project- Laurie Lewis, Lynn Morris, Sharon and Cheryl White, Kim and Barb Fox, Kristen Scott, Dale Ann Bradley, Rhonda Vincent and Cathy Chiavola. Male counterparts anxious to show their support of giving some long overdue praise and respect to women in bluegrass include Alan Bibey, Ronnie Stewart (who contributes some marvelous fiddle work throughout), Dudley Connell and guitar hero Tony Rice. With highlights on this recorded event too numerous to mention, I'll just point out a couple- Claire Lynch's performance of her original composition, "The Day Lester Died," would move any fan of Mr. Flatt to tears. Lynn Morris' voice and clawhammer work is the stuff, buddy! And, of course, the great Missy Raines' bass playing graces each and every track (I'd know it was her with one ear tied behind my back,ouch!). The Tom T. and Dixie Hall penned title track was the perfect choice for the final song and the chorus that included many of the musicians involved on this album, along with Bobby All's autoharp accompaniment, took me right back to the first time I heard the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's classic, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." This is a "must have" destined to garnish IBMA awards and even a possible Grammy. Great job, Mr. Newton, and thanks for having the vision, energy and talent to make this gem a reality!"