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Northern California Bluegrass Society provides this CD review. You can find our most current reviews on our Message Board, where you can comment or query the author directly. Our monthly magazine, Bluegrass By the Bay also publishes them. Return to CD Reviews. |
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| Jimmy Martin | Songs of a Freeborn Man |
| Review by Brenda Hough | |
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Songs: |
CMH Classic Bluegrass CMH 8440 |
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Jimmy Martin is known as the "King Of Bluegrass" and this collection features some of his best-known songs. Jimmy has been performing for over 30 years from his start with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys to his own band, the Sunny Mountain Boys. His high lonesome sound vocals are a special part of his sound, and his hard driving rhythm guitar was joined by Paul Williams on mandolin and J.D. Crowe on banjo in the early days. One album highlight is a home recording of them playing the classic Bill Monroe tune, "Molly and Tenbrooks" and a solo "Ruby" by Paul Williams. "Sunny Side of the Mountain" is a perfect example of a Jimmy Martin song - heartfelt vocals and harmonies and a rhythmic pulse driven by guitar, fiddle and banjo. Jimmy's son, Ray takes a solo with "Lost to a Stranger" and his warm baritone brings to life the story of a lost love. Marty Stuart joins Jimmy on the classic "Rose of Old Kentucky," and Ricky Skaggs adds the second voice and mandolin to "Darling Cory." "Don't Let Me Cross Over" has Josh Graves providing dobro highlights and the chorus has the country four-part harmony. The selection of 23 songs includes highlights from Jimmy's long career and would be a great introduction to one of bluegrass music's enduring stars. |
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