Bluegrass Music: Tricopolis Records-CD Reviews

Fighting Irishman
Unclouded Day
Nashville Skyline Rag
Bull’s-Eye
Tennessee Flattop Box
Shenandoah Breakdown
Am I Losing You
Gypsy Dream
How I Long To Be In The Mountains
Ridin’ The Blue Ridge
South Train To Memphis
I Saw The Light
Another Time

Click on CD Cover to Purchase this CD

Upon first examining the front graphics and back song titles of "Bull’s-Eye", I got the impression that this album was going to be a mixture of instrumentals and vocals performed by Bull Harman. Well, that’s only half right. Instrumentally, it is… but much of the album is Bull Harman backing up other singers, and taking breaks on the guitar. The very best tracks are near the end of the album, but I found the second selection to be an outstanding, beautiful version of “Unclouded Day”. All in all, "Bull’s-Eye" reminds me of a new wine: the longer it plays, the better it gets!

"Bull’s-Eye" is a compilation of tunes featuring various top-notch singers in the bluegrass industry. With vocalists such as Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, and Tina Adair on your album, how can you go wrong? Although it probably would have been better to list these artists on the cover of the CD, it no less diminishes the strong appeal of the work here. There are several originals, both vocal and instrumental. One that really shines is “Another Time”, a great solo guitar piece. This selection, more than any of the others, shows Bull Harman’s unique ability to weave a song. I always like to hear these kinds of solo pieces on an album, for it best shows the talent behind it.

With such a wide variety of musicians and singers on "Bulls-Eye", there are bound to be some surprises. One of them was on the dynamite banjo playing of Mike Harman on “I Saw the Light”: nice and punchy, a real joy to listen to. And Bull’s guitar breaks on this piece were outstanding. You could really feel the energy there.

The sixteen-page booklet that comes with the album provides good reading. There are some quotes by the artists, musicians, and family members including an incredible excerpt of how he saved Rhonda Vincent’s life, TWICE! I won’t spoil it for you. Buy the album so you can find out how!

All in all, this is a great album that you will, no doubt, enjoy the longer you listen to it…like a new wine.

Ron Spears & Within Tradition Grandpa Loved the Carolina Mountains

Copper Creek Records CCCD-0192

Produced by Ron Spears

David Richardson
Tricopolis Staff Writer
May 24, 2001

Playing time: 34:17

Another Last Good-bye
Girl From Boulder
The Last to Know
Grandpa Loved the Carolina Mountains
Within Tradition
Little Hands
Dreams About the Hills of Home
Poor Old Monroe
Cold Virginia Rain
Never See Mama or Daddy Again
Trail of the Old Lonesome Pine
I Know What It Means to be Lonesome

I must confess I hadn’t heard Ron Spears before the release of this album, but I sure was pleasantly surprised upon previewing the CD on my way home after receiving it.

First off, I love original material. And Ron has penned 9 of the 12 songs on this release. While its very hard to pick favorites, I really liked “Girl From Boulder”, “Grandpa Loved the Carolina Mountains”, “Cold Virginia Rain”, and “Trail of the Old Lonesome Pine”. This is solid bluegrass, with a bit of a Spanish feel, especially with respect to the well-crafted three part harmonies that pervade the album. Ron’s voice has a certain lyrical quality that makes it unique, especially when you compare it to the more traditional approach of bluegrass singing. One instrumental, “Poor Old Monroe” is a good example of Ron’s mandolin playing and writing ability. You close you eyes, and it sounds like the father of bluegrass himself!

All of the band members of Within Tradition are capable in their own right and are well rehearsed and cohesive on this CD. Providing the solid guitar work and baritone singing is Charlie Edsall who first became interested in bluegrass in Thailand! Bruce Johnson, the well-known California and national fiddle player, also provides some inspiring performances here. Bassist and singer, Jerry Logan, has played with such artists as Peter Rowan and Bill Evans and provides the good timing foundation for the band. Last, but certainly not least, is banjoist Hal Horn. I like good banjo in bluegrass, and Hal provides just the right backup and rolling lead behind the singing, which provides drive, good tonality and timing.

This is a CD that you will want to add to your collection. I for one am anxiously awaiting Ron Spear’s next release as I listen to Grandpa Loved the Carolina Mountains.

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