That
High Lonesome Sound review
That
High Lonesome Sound is the follow up to Old and in the Way's
classic self titled album. This release is an additional fourteen
songs of that great line up of musicians featuring Jerry Garcia,
Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Vasar Clements, and John Kahn.
Originally Richard Green was the fiddle player, but living in
Los Angeles he dropped out and was replaced by Clements. Green later
became a member of Garcia’s 1974 acoustic band The Great American
String Band.
This
release is slightly more traditional bluegrass music than it’s
predecessor where they tackle three Bill Monroe songs, “Wicked
Path of Sin,” “Uncle Pen,” and “I’m on my Way Back to the
Old Home” to perfection. They do justice to the classic
"Orange Blossom Special" with everyone giving their two
cents, but Vasar Clements shining strongest.
Also exceptional is the rendition of “Catfish John,” a
song that was first released on Garcia’s Reflection album and he performed with his electric band.
The only
complaint I have is that it took them so long to release these
songs. That High Lonesome
Sound is a CD packed of great music. Moreover, there is an
outstanding 20-page booklet with rare photos as well as notes by
bluegrass scholar Neil Rosenberg. by Barry
Small
Grade B
+
