CD Review

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Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers Home Brew
Review by Brenda Hough  

Songs:
Elvis On Velvet and Monroe on Grass
Dance in Old Kentucky
Chattanoga Dog
Poor Ellen Smith
God Was There
Old Dan Tucker
I Haven't Seen Mary In Years
Molly and Mildred
Lonesome Guitar
Pastures of Plenty
Sea of Heartbreak
Little Liza Jane

Copper Creek
CCCD0202
PO Box 3161
Roanoke, VA 24015

Personnel:
K


Gary Brewer comes from a long line of Kentucky pickers and his Kentucky Ramblers band has a strong, hard-driving "Brewgrass" sound. There is plenty of strong guitar runs and leads as well as mandolin chops and sparkling banjo from band members Jim Brewer, Wade Butler, and Blake Hopper. Tom T. Hall and his wife Dixie have written many songs, and they have two fine examples on this album. "Elvis on Velvet and Monroe on Grass" is a tribute to two of Gary's influences and "Molly and Mildred" is a story song of two women who lost their husbands under mysterious circumstances. "Poor Ellen Smith" "Old Dan Tucker," and "Little Liza Jane" follow the traditional vein. Gary's great vocal talents are featured in the gospel "God Was There," and his rendition of "Sea of Heartbreak" transforms this country classic into a bluegrass hit. Woody Guthrie's "Pastures of Plenty" gets a high speed Ramblers treatment. Each song is a Rambler special and will be enjoyed by any traditional bluegrass fan.

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