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A reissue of "Appalachian Swing"

Walter Flint | Yosemite, CA USA | 02/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a reissue of the all instrumental "Appalachian Swing" album released on World Pacific Records in April 1964 and subsequently re-released to CD by Rounder Records in 1993. Rounder Records does not have any Kentucky Colonels music in print as of April 2003 so this is the only way to get "Appalachian Swing" on compact disc. This BGO re-release has 2 extra songs that were issued as singles and were not included on the original record or the Rounder Label reissue . Both of these "bonus" cuts are vocal numbers and seem somewhat out of context from the all instrumental setting of the original album. Nonetheless the two extra songs are welcome editions for Colonels fanatics. Also, the remastering of this version does not sparkle quite as good as the Rounder reissue but is still fine. This album is noteworthy for the astounding instrumental interplay between brothers Roland (mandolin) and Clarence White (guitar). It is amazing that Clarence was only 19 when this was recorded and had developed the most distinctive flatpicking style in all of bluegrass to this time. It may be only 27 minutes long but "Appalachian Swing" is one of the seminal albums of 1960's bluegrass or any bluegrass for that matter. Long live Clarence White!"