Wonderfully Reverent and Flawlessly Executed
James Morris | Jackson Heights, NY United States | 02/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first acquired this album on its original vinyl release over a quarter century ago, and time has not diminished the charm of its simple, heartfelt arrangements and vocals. If anything, it sounds as fresh today as it did when I first heard it in 1980.
In the 1970's, the original Red Clay Ramblers produced a half-dozen superb albums for Flying Fish records. Their usual material consisted of "old-timey" songs originally produced by the pioneers of early recorded music, either well-known or obscure, and lighter, often witty original material of their own composition. Much of the success of their formula rested on their loving reinvention of classic old songs, utilizing their considerable musical talents and clean, up-to-date arrangements. Covering material associated with such talents as Jimmie Rodgers, Charlie Poole, Uncle Dave Macon, W. C. Handy, Bessie Smith and Fats Waller, they have also tackled Child ballads, and unearthed material by obscure early artists such as The Mississippi Sheiks, and the Red Fox Chasers, inevitably breathing new life into everything they touch. While they are dead serious and respectful of the old masters at all times, they generally choose light, breezy and especially humorous tunes, although these are interspaced with more somber, dramatic and poignant pieces.
In lovingly re-recording such old material, one of the groups whose output they have frequently mined with great success is the original Carter Family, known to both country and folk enthusiasts as true originals, as well as pioneers of the sound now known as Mountain music. The early releases of the Red Clay Ramblers always included at least one Carter Family song, and it is clear that they love the sound of Sara, Maybelle and A. P. Carter as much as any fan. I don't know if it was inevitable that they should record an entire album of Carter Family songs, but I'm sure glad someone thought of it.
Jim Watson, Mike Craver and Tommy Thompson formed the nucleus of the original RCR, and the three of them more often than not traded vocals assignments on their various efforts. Mike Craver has a high, sweet voice, especially suited for tender ballads, while the gravel-pitch of the late Tommy Thompson sounds tailor-made for novelty numbers and more humorous endeavors. The trio basically sticks to their usual formula, although this is a far more acoustic outing than their usual shtick, which makes for an altogether pleasant and easy listening experience.
As usual (and befitting the Carter legacy) there are sentimental songs, tender love songs and a splash of country Gospel, with each of the trio handling the vocal duties as best suits their particular talent. The album opens with the three-part harmony of Anchored in Love, a Gospel paean to the joys of being born again (although I am not a religious person myself - OK, I'm pretty much an agnostic - I nonetheless often find myself singing right along with the thrilling harmony of this happy tune). This is followed by the melancholy sentimentality of While the Band is Playing Dixie, a song never actually recorded by the original Carter Family - it was written by Sara Carter in the decades following the break-up of the original trio, and recorded (I believe) for the first time on the landmark 1966 album, Sara and Maybelle: An Historic Reunion. While the Band is Playing Dixie employs a neat guitar trick first used by Maybelle (or was it Sara?) on the 1928 record, Homestead on the Farm; during the instrumental, the original tune is harmonized with the melody of the standard "Home Sweet Home", and blended so skillfully that it's difficult to know where one begins and the other leaves off. Unlike the original, Jim and Mike restrict this device to the last chorus, and are a bit less free with their harmonizing, but it is only slightly less effective than the 1966 reading by Sara and Maybelle.
The album continues in their usual vein of glorifying and re-creating the original arrangements, while giving them the added benefit of modern recording technology. A few of the songs were tunes I had not heard previously by the original Carter Family (although I have since heard the original records of all but one or two of the songs) and, for the most part, the sound is remarkably faithful to the originals. The trio approaches this material with love and respect, and it shows on each and every song. There is not a bad number in the bunch, although I admit the piano on Meeting in the Air, a rousing Gospel number, is a bit jarring in contrast to the mostly acoustic guitar, banjo and autoharp employed on the other 13 tracks. But this is a minor quibble, and does not detract from the album one bit. If you thought true musicianship was dead, check out their wholly satisfying and joyous sound. If you are not familiar with the Red Clay Ramblers, this album is slightly more acoustic and a bit more somber than their usual output, but it's a good place to start nonetheless. Many bands and performers have recorded Carter Family tributes, but few have captured their spirit or sound as successfully as these three marvelous musicians. As of this writing, the CD appears out-of-print, and there are not too many copies available. Get it while you can.
"
Timeless performances of timeless music
James D. Ahrens | Minneapolis, MN USA | 12/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Three of the original Red Clay Ramblers made this album for Flying Fish in 1980. Craver, Watson, and Thompson interpret these beautiful songs faithfully without embalming them. The recording shows the timelessness of the music, and of their performances.
The only way this album could be better would be if it were longer"
Heartfelt, beautiful
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 04/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the prettiest folk records ever made. Heartfelt and beautiful. Their versions of "One Little Word" and "Are You Tired of Me My Darling?" are particularly sweet. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To Hick Music)"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1