Longview: Deep In The Mountains is the 4th Rounder release by the super group LONGVIEW. The first release was founder Ken Irwin’s idea to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rounder Records. That project was meant to be a one time in-gathering of some of the best pickers and singers in the business, which included James King, Don Rigsby, Dudley Connell, Marshall Wilborn, Joe Mullins and Glen Duncan.
Longview featured great singing and flawless picking by every instrument, and DEEP IN THE MOUNTAINS is a continuation of that tradition, with the addition of new members J.D. Crowe, Lou Reid, and Ron Stuart. Every one of these cats is a master at what he does, so the singing is beautiful and the picking terrific. The song selection is equally strong, including tips of the hat to Charlie Moore/Bill Napier, Bill Harrell and Jim & Jesse classics. In a word, these guys are smooth, polished and thoroughly professional. You won’t go wrong adding this fine CD to your music collection.
“Old Log Cabin”
Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass: The Room Over Mine.
Danny Paisley is one of my favorite bluegrass singers, so I strongly recommend this recording. I first appreciated his singing ability when I tried to learn a song he sang on one of his CD’s. I could NOT get my voice to slide, soar, dip and dive anywhere near the way Dan Paisley’s does. Just when you think he’s totally out of control he pulls it back into something that makes perfect sense. His singing style strikes me as a cross between Jimmy Martin and George Jones. For some his singing style may be over the top, but I just love it. And from what I’ve heard, Alison Krauss agrees with me. (She reportedly referred to Danny as her favorite singer.)
“The Room Over Mine”
Dan and his late Dad, Bob, described their music as the Galax style, after the style of bluegrass played at the famous Galax, Virginia fiddler’s festival. It’s a full-throttle, high energy brand of bluegrass music. Just listen to him put his own brand on the old chestnut, I’M COMING BACK, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHEN. And Dan Paisley has a great band, the Southern Grass, which includes his brother Michael on bass, the Lundy brothers, Bob and T.J. on banjo and fiddle, and Donnie Eldreth,Jr on mandolin. This is powerful blue grass music. Be extra careful if you listen to this while driving!
I’m personally looking forward to hearing them perform August 16th at the Long Island Bluegrass Festival in Copiague, NY.
