Search - Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley, Clinch Mountain :: Lost in the Lonesome Pines

Fresh in-yer-face bluegrass in a traditional vein

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jim Lauderdale is a prolific songwriter in contemporary country music who has penned many hits for artists like Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Mark Chesnutt, Kathy Mattea, and George Strait. He also has several recordings of his own and has appeared on the Grand Ol' Opry. A North Carolina native and son of a minister/choir director, Lauderdale also has extensive bluegrass roots. When he arrived in Nashville in the late 1970s, he had hoped to pursue a bluegrass career. Instead, he moved into mainstream country. However, Lauderdale has always considered Stanley as "the Mount Rushmore of music," and his love for bluegrass became apparent when he featured Ralph and the Clinch Mountain Boys on his 1997 album, "Whisper." Later, Lauderdale was a guest on Stanley's "Clinch Mountain Country" project, and he in now an honorary Clinch Mountain Boy. Building on the chemistry between these two artists, they collaborated on an album of their own, the Grammy-nominated and highly recommended "I Feel Like Singing Today," (on the Rebel label). Of the 14 tracks on this latest album, 13 were written or co-written by Lauderdale. Every single piece is a winner that clearly shows that fresh, new bluegrass can be composed today that reflects the power, sentiments and emotions of traditional music. Songs like "Redbird" could have just as easily been written 100 years ago. For six songs, Lauderdale's songwriting collaborators include Candace Randolph, Shawn Camp, and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Some of the songs like Randolph's and Lauderdale's "Quit That" and "I Think Somebody Better Come Back Home" have a Jimmy Martin-like feel that could help make these songs bluegrass standards. Lauderdale's songs and lonesome singing are filled with the typical themes of mountain music: love gone wrong, sorrow, nostalgia for home, and redemption. The band even presents a playful novelty number called "She's Looking At Me." The album's sound quality is excellent with in-your-face singing and picking. From the first notes on, Jim's lead vocals, Ralph's tenor, and the banjo-picking exclaim, "This is hard-driving bluegrass!" This is another landmark album for Lauderdale and Stanley, and if you like fresh bluegrass in a traditional vein, this album will hit the right spot. Lauderdale has found his place, and that is helping new traditional country music and bluegrass to endure. I'm giving a "double five" to Jim and Ralph and the Boys for this latest effort.
--Joe Ross, moderator/reviewer for Nwbluegrass"

Can't Stop

G. A. Vollmar | Diamond Bar, CA USA | 08/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot stop playing this CD. It's that good. Uplifting music for a sunny Saturday morning, or anytime really. The tunes are instantly sing-a-long-able."

This is a great CD. Wonderful bluegrass music.

Myra Hill | New York City, United States of America | 07/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a New Yorker, I used to be only a casual bluegrass music listener. When I heard bluegrass music, the Beverly Hillbillies television series always came to my mind. That was until I met a devoted online friend who lives in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, I paid more attention to bluegrass and wanted to learn more about the music. Because I was overwhelmed and undecided on which bluegrass CDs to buy while browsing at a record store, I tried out a couple of bluegrass CDs at listening posts. Then I came across Lost In The Lonesome Pines - Jim Lauderdale/Ralph Stanley. I couldn't help but standing at the post and listening to the CD over and over again. I was so blown away that I was convinced to buy the CD even though I was short of cash. This is one great CD. More New Yorkers should get into bluegrass which is the American icon."