Solid straight-ahead bluegrass from a group comprised of masters both old and young. For old, we have the legendary
Bill Emerson, banjo virtuoso and charter member of the proto-newgrass Country Gentleman; for young, we have the very fine singer and guitarist
Mark Newton, as well as the equally fine mandolinist Emory Lester and bassist Bob Goff. Newton has a remarkably flexible voice -- compare his full-throated mountain roar on "Long Gone Baby" (a
Neil Diamond song, believe it or not) to the gentler, higher-pitched tones he brings to bear on Larry McPeak's "The Vow." There are two
Jimmy Martin covers, one a typical novelty tune ("Home Run Man") and the other a bitter kiss-off ("Don't Cry to Me"); the latter finds Emory Lester cross-picking a la
Jesse McReynolds. The group's sound is strictly traditional, but there's nothing stuffy or academic about it. Great songs, tight harmonies, and virtuosic playing make this disc a delight from beginning to end. ~ Rick Anderson