1. Entertainment

line American Milestones - Kris Kristofferson, Rodney Crowell, Rodney Crowell & Joe Maphis
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Reviewed by Carrie Attebury

I have never been much for music instrumentals. But I love The Sony American Milestones rerelease of Joe Maphis' "Fire On The Strings," originally released in 1957, is an awsome collection of bluegrass and rockabilly style guitar tunes.

Joe Maphis was to guitar playing what Floyd Cramer was to piano playing. They were both masters at their respective instruments. I can see why Joe today is still called "King Of The Strings."

One of the unsung heroes of country music, Otis Wilson "Joe" Maphis (1921-1986) mastered all things with strings attached, but it was as a lightning-fingered demon of the double-necked guitar that he made an everlasting mark.

Fire on the Strings Cover
 More Of This Feature
• Kris Kristofferson - Kristofferson
• Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors
• Rodney Crowell - Diamonds & Dirt
• Joe Maphis - Fire On The Strongs
• American Milestones 2001
 
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• Other Reviews by Carrie
 
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For those of you who aren't familiar with Joe's music, Think of the music from the TV show "The Beverly Hillbillys" (no not the theme song) just the bits of music that are played throughout each episode.

"Fire On The Strings" is an upbeat toe tapper.

"Flying Fingers" is another fast paced number. I can't even begin to imagine how someone could play a guitar that fast and that great!!!!!

"Lorrie Ann" is a medium tempo tune.

"Guitar Rock And Roll" is my favorite song from the album. I love how there is the main guitar part and then the part kind of playing against it.

"Sweet Fern" is a song that I love because of the way the steel guitar echos the main guitar part of the song.

"Marching To Pretoria" brings to my mind soldiers gaily decked out in their uniforms and marching off to war.

"Early American" really brings to my mind what people today are calling alternative country music. Especially the group BR5-49.

"Bye Bye" reminds me of the slow shuffling pace of some of Junior Brown's songs. If Joe was alive and playing music today. I think he would have some serious competition from Junior Brown.

Song List

  1. Fire On The Strings (Expanded edition)
  2. Randy Lynn Rag
  3. Twin Banjo Special
  4. Bully Of The Town
  5. Flying Fingers
  6. Lorrie Ann
  7. Tennessee Two Step
  8. Floggin' The Banjo
  9. Guitar Rock And Roll
  10. Town Hall Shuffle
  11. Sweet Fern
  12. Katy Warren Breakdown
  13. Marching To Pretoria - (BONUS TRACK)
  14. Early American - (BONUS TRACK)
  15. The Rockin' Gypsy - (BONUS TRACK)
  16. Hurricane - (BONUS TRACK)
  17. Bye Bye - (BONUS TRACK)
  18. Short Recess - (BONUS TRACK)
  19. Moonshot - (BONUS TRACK)
Audio Clips courtesy of: Barnes & Noble.
All graphics © Shelly Fabian, with the exception of the album cover,
used with permission of Sony Nashville
.

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