by Enrico Scull
What a great record. Peterson has that voice that sets a mood for the pure country music of the golden era that we all love. He covers some defining must-haves that anyone looking for a richer repertoire should consider. He recounts the songs as if for the first time and at the same time as if you should know them by heart.
I especially liked the steel pedal and the fiddle because the musicians are so steeped in the tradition of the Hanks, Tubb or Pride, you name them – the legacy of greats is all on this record.
I’m lucky I to have heard Price, Robbins, Ritter, Slim and a long list of others so I can relate. I heard Charlie Rich in a new way. Acuff to Snow, this guy knows them as friends. He’s like their messenger and torch bearer.
Peterson strides musically into a new conscience of American values that beg to be revived. Each time you play this record you fall deeper into what makes country music, like its cousins bluegrass and western swing, among the brightest threads in our American musical quilt. Peterson is terrific. The Band is terrific and the CD is must-have in my view.
“Comin’ On Strong”
David Peterson is ‘comin’ on strong’ and on this CD he follows through. (Hold on, I have to hit the replay button. I’ll be right back. Ok, I’m back).
David Peterson has Larry Mars who sounds like a brother on vocals. Paul Franklin is a pedal steel guitarist and just listen to Tim Crouch’s fiddle, it shines through on the solos, all twin fiddle arrangements throughout and again on the surprise triple fiddle tune The Crazy Blues with Buddy Emmons too! There are more reasons to own this album than the 16 tunes so beautifully selected. Add the liner notes and the list of musicians and you have over an hour of classic country music.
Jeff Taylor’s intro on piano stands out on You’re to Easy to Remember. I find I have to rewind that one over and over. Hey, I’m happy to see Richard Bennett on the list. He’s a great guitarist and recording artist who seems unable to not sound like he’s regular member of the band. Bryan Sutton our own home grown guitarist makes me proud to remember him from the Woodstock pubs and shows of the 70’s and early 80’s.
This album is a keeper and gets placed in my stack of George Jones CD’s so when I’m feeling like I need some country it’s real handy. No, you can’t borrow mine I may need it this weekend.
Necktie Records