CD Review

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Chris Stuart Angels of Mineral Springs
Review by Brenda Hough  

Song list:
Springhill Mine, Elvis Stays Home, I Did Not Hear Them Go, The Road into Town, Angels of the Mineral Springs, Desert Lullaby, Saro, The Last Yellow Rose, Slow Dancing at Evangeline's, Chasing the Fire, A Single Candle.

Backcountry Music
13774 Recuerdo Dr.
Del Mar, CA 92014
www.backcountryrecords.com
©2002


Chris Stuart has strong bluegrass roots and has been a banjo player in bands as well as a winner at Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in the bluegrass category. This album showcases Chris Stuart's songs and there are some gems that capture vignettes of life and love. "I Did Not Hear Them Go" and "Saro" has Chris' warm baritone joined by Pam Daley's wonderful harmonies in a pair of songs about the departure of loved ones. Eric Uglum adds guitar and mandolin, Irl Hess plays bass and Gabe Witcher adds fiddle to most of the cuts on the album. "The Road Into Town" has Ron Block adding banjo to a bluegrass mountain home song. "Elvis Stays Home" is a interesting "what if song" raising the question what would Elvis do if he remained at home with Mama in Memphis. The album closes with "A Single Candle" which is an inspirational song in the same vein as "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Chris has a fascinating palette of words and instrumental settings for his songs and the album is worth seeking.

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