Don Rigsby kicks off
The Midnight Call with a gutsy, high-lonesome version of
Jimmie Rodgers' "Those Gambler's Blues." His no-holds vocal, backed by a spunky band that includes fiddler
Stuart Duncan and slide guitarist
Randy Kohrs, just about jumps out of the speakers. The choice of a lesser-known
Rodgers piece is also a smart one. If
The Midnight Call disappoints at all, it's because most of what follows, as good as it is, fails to match the energy of the opener. The follow-up track, "The Midnight Call," cozies up much closer to contemporary bluegrass, sounding like a country hybrid that's knocked the rougher edges off traditional music. This impression is reinforced with "Carved Our Names in Stone," a song that wouldn't be out of place on country radio or as a CMT video.
Rigsby's an intense singer, and this shows through even on a mid-paced ballad like "Blood on My Hands." He delivers each lyric with convincing emotion and his highs are always piercingly clear. In fact, his voice leads back to great tenors like
Bill Monroe and
Bobby Osborne. Too often, however, he submerges this powerful tool for a more subdued, radio-friendly twang.
The Midnight Call will please old
Rigsby fans and will undoubtedly receive lots of radio play, but traditional bluegrass fans will be left wishing for more red meat. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.