Those Happy Cobbles Are Some Friends of Mine...

Cobble Mountain Band was a country/bluegrass hybrid band that played in the late seventies and probably beyond. I believe they were based in New England but I'm sure they toured well beyond the region given their talents and entertaining stage presence. I had the good fortune to have enjoyed their performances on several occasions and always made a point to go see them when they were in the Danbury, Connecticut area where I grew up. I recall them appearing at a place called Stage III in Brookfield, Connecticut fairly often and I always looked forward to seeing them. They were a fun band to watch with slick guitar and fiddle work as well as some great piano work. Although this brand of music wasn't the sort of music you would expect to flourish at a popular night club located in a relatively small town area, they did get the young crowd going and they could rock pretty well despite the country focus. Well all these years later I couldn't stop wanting to find some recordings by this group. I knew they had at least one LP, the one posted here, which one of my buddies had purchased back in the day, but I was quite surprised that it was not available in digital format anywhere. I finally bit the bullet and purchased this vinyl recording off eBay, for next to nothing I might add. And now I'm very happy to share it here after a very long hiatus from the blog. Listening as I recorded each song from vinyl I was happy to confirm that my long quest was completely justified. While this recording, apparently Cobble Mountain's only LP, doesn't fully convey the somewhat more rowdy performances I recall at Stage III, it certainly does present some great country rock with bluegrass nuances that I thoroughly enjoy. I'm impressed with the production and musicianship and most of the songs are really good stuff if you're any kind of fan of the genre. "Bottle of Fire" is a smooth and energetic kick off to side one and from there, "Cotton Eyed Joe" (which I recall them cuttin' up at the live performances) keeps things lively. From there it moves effortlessly through a great assortment of up tempo instrumental work, fun vocals along with some slower, touching ballads like "Drinking and Hoping" and the closing number, "Factory Farewell" that are pretty effective by my tastes. Throughout I am probably most attracted to the impeccable country picking of both Pete Adams (pedal) and Glenn Ferrell (lead & rhythm guitars). "Fly Trouble" will remind you of "I Just Gotta Have Another Cigarette" but they do it very well here and it provides a nice complement to the rest of the selections. Overall I think you'll hear some Commander Cody, Jerry Jeff Walker and a bit of Asleep At The Wheel. Not bad company I'd say. So I hope you'll agree with me that this is a recording that shouldn't be collecting dust. Enjoy it, be a happy Cobble and a friend of mine...

Cobbled

Cobble Mountain Band - Cobble Mountain Bad (1979)

Singlebrook Record Company CMB 1579 - Rounder

Side 1:
Bottle of Fire
Glory Bound
Cotton Eyed Joe
Old Time Rhythm Of Love
Drinking and Hoping
Footprints In The Nightime

Side 2:
Back On The High Road
Carol County Blues
Fly Trouble
Been Through That Before
New York City
Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
Factory Farewell

Pete Adams - pedal stell guitar, lead vocals on "Fly Trouble"
Ray Cuevas - drums
Glenn Ferrell - lead & rhythm guitar
Amasa Miller - piano, fiddle, lead vocals on "Cotton Eyed Joe"
Walter Palmer - lead vocals
Richard Thornburg - fiddle, lead vocals on "Old Time Rhythm Of Love"
Chris Tuttle - bass

Guest musicians;
Arlo Guthrie, Terry A La Berry, Danny Velika, Carol Ide, Steve Ide, John Pilla, Steve Asetta,
Peter McEachern, Fred Hellerman, Lee Kahn, Jesse Henderson, Jemima James, and Mary Ellen Tuttle.

Tasty Licks

For all you hungry bluegrass fans out there, I have a treat, a tasty one. This next album was among my early favorites in the bluegrass realm. Back when I was able to frequent festivals and keep up with every issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, the band, Tasty Licks, and it's first album (self titled) was a frequent flier on my turntable and car stereo. They have such a unique vocal sound. Jack Tottle and Robin Kincaid both having rather high registers to their voices, yet the results are so natural and relaxed. Of course, with Bela Fleck anchoring the banjo licks on this team, there is plenty of spice and surprises to make for a great bundle of old fashioned bluegrass and exciting new fangled fun. You'll hear some incredible dobro work from Stacy Phillips and bass fiddle man Paul Kahn adds the bottom parts instrumentally and vocally with great aplomb. All in all a real classic in my book. Every song is solid stuff although I am always a sucker for a good cover and I think "Listen To The Rhythm of the Fallin' Rain" is a blast. "Sweetheart of Rainy Days" (by Kincaid) is another killer tune. Ultimately I find the whole album to be a non-stop hit. You'll note a lot of unusual twists to the rhythm throughout many of the songs, odd syncapation that keeps you on your toes. "Lathe Machine" is a very enjoyable instrumental and there's also a wonderful gospel treatment on "If You Don't Love Your Neighbor". I hope you will enjoy getting a taste of what these guys were way back in the late seventies. These were some of the guys responsibile for the relative revolution in bluegrass that we witnessed at the time, right up there with beer can collecting, except much better and here to stay thankfully!

Lix

Tasty Licks - (Self-Titled) - 1978
Rounder 0106

Ridin' The Back Road
Sweet Rhythm Of Highway
Reading in the Dark
Maize
Listen to the Rhythm of the Fallin' Rain
Trains/Leavin' Tennessee

Make It All Right
Sweetheart of Rainy Days
Lathe Machine
Why Did You Say Goodbye
If You Don't Love Your Neighbor
Saturday Night Special

Jack Tottle - vocals & mandolin
Robin Kincaid - tenor vocals & guitar
Bela Fleck - banjo
Stacy Phillips - dobro
Paul Kahn - vocals & acoustic bass
Bobby Hicks - fiddle ("Sweetheart.." & "Sweet Rhythm...")

Spectrum encore...Live In Japan

It was so good to finally rip that last post of Spectrum's "Opening Roll" that I had to do the same with my other Spectrum LP, "Live In Japan" from 1981. I had forgotten what a strong album this also is, more of a balanced album with stronger tunes overall I think, although none can match "Red Rubber Ball" from "Opening Roll" in my opinion. I have always been partial to the song, "Sea Of Heartbreak", and Spectrum's version here is no exception, but I also enjoy the gentle "Blue Umbrella", a powerful "Cabin In Caroline", the beautiful "Hickory Wind", the tear jerking "Until You Come Back..." and a really fun instrumental encore in "Sukiyaki". But it's all very good stuff and features a little more of that cowboy jazz side of the bluegrass world with fine vocals and instrumental work on the likes of "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". Since it is a live recording that seems (actually it does stitch together several dates and a couple locations) to capture continuous coverage of the actual concert performances in Japan, with plenty of fan appreciation, I decided to rip each track exactly as it appears on the record, no space between each song, every second of applause. I also created a separate track of the introductions which runs between "Blue Umbrella" and "Smoke That Cigarette". So you'll find 15 tracks even though only seven songs per side are listed on the album cover and labels. I need to find the other work these guys put out, but I believe that "It's Too Hot For Words", with Mike Auldridge, is the only other LP they released before going their separate ways with all that talent. Hope you enjoy this second Spectrum goodie...

Live Spectrum

Spectrum - Live In Japan - 1981
Rounder Records 0184

Cabin In Caroline
Blue Umbrella
(Introductions)
Smoke That Cigarette
Hickory Wind
Sea of Heartbreak
Driving Nails
Pig in a Pen

Roll On Buddy
Until You Come Back Home Again
Ain't Misbehavin'
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Rabit in the Log
End of the Line
Sukiyaki

Bela Fleck - banjo, baritone vocals
Jimmy Gaudreau - mandolin, tenor vocals
Glenn Lawson - guitar, lead vocals
Jimmy Mattingly - fiddle, baritone vocals
Mark Schatz - acoustic bass, bass vocals

Recorded live in Nichifutsu Kaikan Hall, Tokyo (Oct. 28-29, 1981)
except "Sukiyaki" recorded at Hiroshima Fujin Kaikan, Hiroshima (Nov. 2, 1981)

Bluegrass On A Roll...

Here's an album I've wanted to dedicate to data for a long time and I can't believe I waited this long. But finally here it is. I saw these guys at least once or twice on the bluegrass circuit during the early eighties and owning two LP's, I've looked for CD's from this band ever since, but no luck. It seems that vinyl and cassettes were all they ever released and it's hard to believe Rounder hasn't done more with this band that included the likes of the great Jimmy Gaudreau on mandolin and Bela Fleck on banjo, not to mention Glenn Lawson on guitar and lead vocals. In actuality I would say this is not so great an album as it is a great lineup of musicians. I personally feel that the song selection could be stronger in some cases and I would like to hear more stretching out on the instrumental solos. Although there certainly are great bluegrass harmonies and tasty licks going on, most every song is only 2 to 3 minutes long, short but sweet I guess. But what really made this LP extra special to me is their rendition of an old favorite tune of mine, "Red Rubber Ball" (originally by Cyrkle). I love the song, always have and I think their version is outstanding, fast and tight, and just listen to the great interludes from Bela & Jimmy. Side two offers a similar speed grass blast in the form of the Everly's "Bye Bye Love", which I like nearly as much as "Red Rubber Ball". Otherwise, "I Like The Christian Life", "Are You Waiting Just For Me" and "Lonesome Town" are also strong cuts. The other tracks are fine but keep it from being an awesome album overall. The Cyrkle tune is really one of my very favorite all-time bluegrass recordings though not everyone may share my taste. Bottom line is that these guys were top notch musicians and performers and if you don't have some of their stuff...you should...now you do and you're on a roll!

Roll

Spectrum - Opening Roll - 1980
Rounder Records 0136

Are You Waiting Just For Me
I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Little Pete
White Man Singin' The Blues
Lonesome Town
Red Rubber Ball

Gone At Last
I Like The Christian Life
I'm Gonna Make It After All
I Needed You
Crazy Blues
Bye Bye Love

Jimmy Gaudreau - mandolin, tenor & lead vocals
Glenn Lawson - lead guitar, lead vocals
Mark Schatz - string bass, bass vocals
Bela Fleck - banjo, baritone vocals

Show Me Da Do, Bro...

Shopping for vinyl can be such a crap shoot. You find something you may have heard of, or at least your familiar with the artist, and you check out the grooves, blow a few specs off the surface and decide to let go of your "dough", and off you go home to set needle to vinyl and hope for the best. Usually, when you part with your hard earned cash, you have high expectations, despite some natural skepticism. And so it was with Tut Taylor, the venerable dobro master. And here is the album burned at 128 so you can judge for yourself, but I couldn't help feel a little let down that he didn't go to town a bit more. It actually is a respectable bit of music, a little bluegrass, a little country, and at times just a touch of muzak to boot, there lying the disappointment. But overall it is very well played by Tut and his fellow hay-chewing chums. There's no doubt that this is a masterful group of musicians. I just wish they would have cut loose once in a while here, but instead it's fairly tame. I think it's worthwhile none the less, it has it's moments and is nicely executed for what it is, hopefully you will enjoy this work which seems to be otherwise unavailable from what I can tell. So sit back and listen to Tut, along with Roland & Clarence White and friends. Let 'em ease you through some smooth licks and keep your dough for those Christmas cookies!

DaDo

Tut Taylor - Dobro Country
(with Roland & Clarence White) - 1964

Tut Taylor: dobro
Roland White: mandolin
Clarence White: guitar
Billy Rae: banjo
Victor Gaskin: bass

From Sun Up To Hoe Down...

Like everything, variety is also the spice of music. Even when you think you just can't get excited about a certain style or genre, all of a sudden, given the opportunity, you find yourself listening to something that just breaks through. Then you are energized to find out what else there is like it which leads to more stuff that isn't exactly like it which leads to more stuff that isn't anything like it and whammo, back you are to another total surprise discovery. Most of my childhood experience with music was guided by the radio and television and an occasional school play or other musical production. I evolved to the early 70's well entrenched in the popular rock and folk of the day, probably most admiring the likes of James Taylor and Steve Miller, some of which remain old reliables in the CD collection. But my musical epiphany really started with a good friend, one with an already broader range of musical exposure. He played Herbie Hancock's Headhunter album. I knew he was into jazz and I occasionally listened but found much of it difficult to relate to, a difficult segue from The Rolling Stones. I'm not sure which song sealed the deal, Chameleon I think, but with that Hancock album I was soon finding it hard to keep still to that funky good stuff and the fun improvisations that framed it. My first response was to question that this could be considered jazz, in the same realm as Ella & Coltrane where I had failed to truly relate. But more listens to a few more items carefully selected from my buddy's budding collection and you just don't turn back, do you? So Jazz was my first real breakthrough and probably remains my first obsession, but pretty much everything followed in the years to come, in pretty quick succession; Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Classical, Honky Tonk, Reggae, and all the subfiles there of. So while I will say that Sun Ra remains one of the most highly revered among my favorite musicians, there is plenty of other good stuff to talk about and share. In trying to keep with only material that seems totally out of print and unavailable, I am suggesting this second post of Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys as a great example of the heart of Bluegrass and music in general. Joe sings such free flying lead and harmony parts with great sincerity. I always enjoy a certain carefree feel in his mandolin playing as well. "Sparkling Brown Eyes" may not be his best album, but it's hard to pick from the few he has out there, and this one is not available on CD. Not sure why he's been avoided so. Sorry this is another 128kb as one of my early recordings but Joe doesn't need too much hi-fi treatment, just a mandolin and some bluegrass boys!! Enjoy;

Joe

Joe Val and The New England Bluegrass Boys - Sparkling Brown Eyes -

1982 - Rounder Records 0152

Lonesome Road Blues

Silver Haired Daddy of Mine

Out in the Cold World

Going Home

Ribbon of Darkness

Yellow Rose of Texas

Sparkling Brown Eyes

God Loves His Children

T for Texas

The Angels Rejoiced

Fair and Tender Ladies

Vision of Mother

Joe Val: mandolin; lead & tenor vocals

Dave Dillon: rythm guitar; lead guitar on "T for Texas"; lead vocals

Paul Silvius: banjo; baritone vocals; finger style guitar on "God..."; bass vocals on "Going Home".

Eric Levenson: bass

Dave Haney: rythm guitar on "Silver..." & "The Angles..."; tenor vocals on "Silver..."; lead vocals on "The Angels...".

Sonny Miller: fiddle