Search - Marshall Family :: Legendary Marshall Family 1

Fine, heartfelt truegrass gospel

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Marshall Family "The Legendary Marshall Family, v.1" (Rebel, 2002)

The Marshall Family "The Legendary Marshall Family, v.2" (Rebel, 2004)



Two fine collections of good, old-fashioned bluegrass gospel tunes, with bright, cheerful vocal and instrumental performances and a simple, joyous set of songs. Each of these discs collects tracks drawn from several of the Marshall Family albums of the 1970s, when the group was still a working, touring truegrass band. There are a few guest appearances -- a young Ricky Skaggs joining in some sweet a capella quartet vocals, for example -- but mostly it's the family itself, presenting this music in as simple and sincere a light as possible. It's great stuff. Later, after the familt act disbanded, various members moved into the equally under-the-radar Southern Gospel scene, either as songwriters or as members of up-and-coming bands such as The Isaacs (who praise the Marshalls in the liner notes of Volume 2, and cite them as early influences). Folks of a more secular bent who still appreciate certain strains of bluegrass gospel, the kinds that have a buoyant, optimistic feel, may find these albums quite enjoyable. I liked 'em!

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Excellent

Michael Whited | bristol, TN USA | 01/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was soooo happy to find this cd. I can remember these songs by this artist from the 1970's and 80's when I saw them in person. These are the original songs that were on the vinyl records I owned-- way back then. I love it! Wish I could find more by this artist."