Bluegrass Music: Tricopolis Records-CD Reviews February 2001

The Butcher’s Dog
The Ranger’s Command
The Newz Reel
The Storms Are on the Ocean
My Life Is in Your Hands
Gonna Paint the Town
Chez Seychelles
Amber Tresses
Mom and Dad’s Waltz
Aragon Mill
Jolie Faye
Forsaken Love
I Will Always Love You
Grand Texas
Let’s Go Home
Angel Band

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I first saw Charles Sawtelle at a Hot Rize concert in Hawaii in the late 70’s. His unique guitar playing ability, which created clear and solid tones without pretentiousness, impressed me. In talking with him after the show, I was immediately struck by the kindness and selflessness of his demeanor. In short, I quickly became a big Charles Sawtelle fan: both in his musicianship and in his person.

It is difficult for me to review this…. his first and last album. As many of you may know, he recently passed away after a brave struggle with leukemia. This CD, which he started, was co-produced by Laurie Lewis who tirelessly finished the project after Charles’ passing. It is meant as a tribute, yet it is definitely much, much more: musically, it is outstanding. And its 20 page, beautifully written booklet, is worth the price the CD alone.. Appearing with Charles in this hour-long album is a long list of notables, 35 in all, including Jerry Douglas, Vassar Clements, Laurie Lewis, and Tim O’Brien. The album is evenly split between instrumentals and vocals. Although Charles sings many of the vocals, there are other lead vocalists that share the spotlight as well. One of my favorites is fiddler Vassar Clements singing “Mom and Dad’s Waltz”, a song written by Lefty Frizzel and another example of emotion winning over technique. Also, Norman Blake singing on “The Storms Are on the Ocean” is beautiful with Charles wonderfully sparse guitar work. You can tell there’s soul there. If you purchase this album, you won’t be disappointed. You will learn from the extensive liner notes as you listen, something special about the artist behind this music. And it is stated over and over in the written tributes. This was an uncommon man. And I knew it the moment I met him, so many years ago!

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Ron Rigsby "Banjo On The Run"

Wo, Mew Records RRR0210

By: David Richardson
Tricopolis Staff Writer
December 4th, 2000

Playing time: 36:01

Banjo On The Run
Ghost Rider’s
Blue Fiddle Waltz
Cumberland Gap
Blue Kentucky Mountains
Miss Amy
Haley Bird
Standing On The Mountain
The Price Is Right
Train 45 “Jumped The Track”
Takin The Backroad “To JD’s”
The Young Man That Wouldn’t Hoe Corn
Mandolin Rain
Love There (While I’m Gone)

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Sometimes in life, a person will pursue one goal, but end up achieving another. And how about purchasing a banjo CD and getting some other big surprise? Such is the case with Ron Rigsby and his release, Banjo On The Run. What is marketed as a banjo album turns out to be a stunning example of getting much more for your money than you bargained for. In short, this boy can SING!!

First, let’s not slight Ron’s expertise on the 5-string banjo. The opening original, “Banjo On The Run” really sets the pace for the CD, which runs the gamut of country, pop, and bluegrass. The instrumentals here are first rate, and I do have my favorites. I especially like “Takin The Backroad to JD’s”, and the tone that Ron is able to achieve on this number. In short, he has that elusive J.D. Crowe sound nailed solid on this lyrical creation. Very nice, indeed! Another original instrumental piece that I particularly like is the moderately paced tune, “Miss Amy”. It has a Spanish feel, and I like what I hear, especially within the bluegrass umbrella created by the other fine players on the album. This tune was, no doubt, written for his little daughter. And as such, it is a beautifully executed song, both in emotion and technique. Some of the other instrumentals, however, such as “Cumberland Gap”, are a bit quick for my taste, but that’s just my own personal preference.

Really the focus on this album should be Ron Rigsby’s voice, for I feel that this is where his talent really lies. It has it all, pitch, emotion, and conviction of an early Ricky Skaggs. And it becomes vividly apparent on “Blue Fiddle Waltz” and Hornsby’s “Mandolin Rain”.

While studying the nicely written liner notes, I found that Ron had been out of the music scene for ten years, and Banjo On The Run is the debut CD, and such a great showcase for this man of many talents. When he was five, he begged his mother to change his name to Ricky Nelson, thinking that he would be able to sing just like his childhood idol. As it turns out, he will probably make his OWN name in bluegrass OR country music fields, if he wishes. Both doors are open, and all Ron has to do is choose one of them. Maybe then some little five year old will want to change his name to Ron Rigsby!

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George Shuffler and Alan Shelton "The Legacy Continues"

Copper Creek Records CCCD-0182

Play Time: 38:05

True Life Blues
Katy Dear
Carter Family Medley
Nearer My God To Thee
Banks Of The Ohio
Nobody’s Business
House Of Gold
No Letter In The Mail
Old Leather
When Our Lord Shall Come Again
I Still Miss Someone
Six More Miles
Medley: Take Me In The Lifeboat/Sweet Bye and Bye

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If you like plenty of good classic bluegrass guitar, just a couple of guitars and a bass uncluttered by other instruments or vocals, you’re going to love this album. If you don’t, stick around. You’re in for a pleasant new experience. The Legacy Continues is good music from a pair of guitar masters.

Guitar legend and innovator George Shuffler and his disciple James Shelton have put together a fine collection of music here, a baker’s dozen of traditional bluegrass songs, classic country, and Carter Family originals, done beautifully in George’s own cross-picking style. Mentor and student join up on some classic bluegrass and country favorites: traditionals like “The Banks Of The Ohio” and “Katy Dear” interspersed nicely along with Johnny Cash’s emotive ballad “I Still Miss Someone,” Hank Williams’ “Six More Miles,” and George’s own original “Old Leather,” to name just a few. George does a fine solo on a finger-style arrangement of “Nobody’s Business;” likewise, James shines on his own arrangement of a “Carter Family Medley.”

George plays bass as well as guitar on the album, James plays guitar, and George’s brother Ron sits in on bass on the final cut.

Whoever said, “There may be some snow on the roof, but there’s still a fire in the hearth,” may have been talking about George Shuffler. It’s been close to a half century now since George pioneered the cross-picking guitar style; there’s an avuncular look to him now: the hair is snow white and receding a bit. But make no mistake: the talent, the technique, the quality, and the reverence for the music is still there. Fans of the Stanley Brothers will have no problem recognizing the uniquely unmistakable guitar style George introduced with them some 40 years ago.

For James, this recording is the fulfillment of a dream he’s had since he first picked up a guitar. James still recalls some 15 years later how George’s rendition of “Will You Miss Me,” performed with Ralph Stanley at a Clinch Mountain Boys reunion, moved him to tears back then.

Certainly in more ways than one, the title of this CD is quite fitting. The Legacy Continues is destined for collectors’ item status in the not-too-distant future. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many.

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