Cliff Waldron & the New Shades of Grass

A Little Ways Down The Road

(Rebel- REB-CD-1791)

It is a shame that Cliff Waldron's name is not as well known as those of Doyle Lawson, Dudley Connell, and Rhonda Vincent. Waldron's crystal clear, whisper clean voice is as fine a bluegrass sound as one is likely to hear- not high, but certainly lonesome, bold, and natural.

A veteran of the late 60's-early 70's Washington D.C. scene, Waldron produced some very fine material with Bill Emerson as well as on his own; this early material is available on a pair of Best Of… releases on Rebel Records and are well worth searching out. Waldron has only come back to bluegrass after retiring from his career with the American National Park Service.

On this new release, Waldron has compiled a collection of fresh interpretations of familiar tunes ("A Little Ways Down The Road," "She's Gone, Gone, Gone") as well as those not previously heard by these ears. One of these numbers, "An Axe To Grind" is an exceptionally well-written (by Brant Miller) ode on the theme of wandering spouse…with a twist. "Home," a song from Karla Bonoff's debut album, performed here sounds like it was written as a bluegrass number. "My Saro Jane," "You're Not The Same Girl," and "Why Not Confess" are other highlights of a brilliant album.

The New Shades of Grass are a combo featuring mandolin, banjo, Dobro, upright bass, and guitar, with Doug Bartlett guesting on fiddle throughout. An inspiration to local pickers, Dobroist Mark Clifton didn't start playing the resonator guitar until age 34 but has progressed to a level where his playing is intrinsic to several of the songs.

A Little Ways Down The Road is essential listening for those who favour smooth vocals backed by fairly traditional instrumentation.

Larry Sparks

The Coldest Part of Winter

(Rebel- REB-CD-1786)

Until I plugged in The Coldest Part of Winter, I had never heard an entire Larry Sparks album. I had heard his voice here and there on compilation albums and a 'best of' package, and I had read about his career and occasionally prickly ways, but, truly, I had never absorbed the dexterity of Larry Sparks as a vocalist or bandleader.

Featuring Sparks' backing band, the Lonesome Ramblers, this new album is one of those rare creations- a bluegrass album of equal parts soulful country vocals, tasteful, high-quality instrumentation, soaring harmonies, and superlative, original songwriting.

Five songs by Marshal Warwick are showcased on the album, including two extolling the virtues of southern, rural living. The theme of appreciating the simple things in life- the way things apparently used to be- runs through the disc; among its images are granny cakes, old country stores, and honeysuckle. Entwined with this is another recurring theme- the road home and all that it entails.

Bluegrass music's finest contemporary fiddler, Michael Cleveland, guests and his contributions are significant; Cleveland has the ability to hear the lyrics and melody provided and add fiddle bits which embellish upon the mood of the piece. Scott Napier and Josh McMurray- surely among the finest young mando-banjo duos working- are provided several opportunities to shine, never detracting from the songs and Sparks' creative delivery.

Of the twelve songs, eleven are new, not previously heard, ensuring that Sparks continues his quest to record music "that hasn't been done to death." Yet, all the songs have that ageless feel, as comfortable as old favourites with timeless qualities.

The Coldest Part of Winter confirms that Larry Sparks has grown into the position of one of bluegrass music's elder statesmen.