| So Long of a Journey - Hot Rize | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
During the late 70's and through the 80's, Hot Rize was perhaps one of the hottest
bluegrass bands going. Disbanded in the early 90's, the individuals continued on their individual musical paths until March of 1996, when they reunited for two unforgettable nights at the Boulder Theatre. In order to capture the true excitement and spontaneity of a live performance, bass player and producer Nick Forster did not tell the rest of the band the performances were being recorded. As a result, what has been captured on this disc is nothing short of tremendous. However, the tapes were subsequently lost for several years, only to finally be recovered and sent into production as a tribute to guitarist Charles Sawtelle, who died of leukemia in 1999.
Although I'd never actually heard any Hot Rize prior to receiving this disc, I was
automatically impressed by their playing, and could easily see why they were so popular in
bluegrass; in addition, I was once again mystified as to why bluegrass has been so separated
from country. This is a fun listen, a bright and pleasing reminder of a time when "bluegrass" and "country" were not two separate entities. A simple combination of mandolin, fiddle, banjo,
guitar, and bass (no drums) with strong modern arrangements on songs both old and new brings
forth a true country music sound.
It's certain that as this disc hits the street at the height of bluegrass's rise in popularity, it's going to be very well-received; and, being that it was recorded nearly six years ago, it's a clear example of how this music has not "suddenly" emerged from nowhere it's been there all along, solid and true, just waiting for people to notice it.
The concert opens up with "Blue Night," with Tim O'Brien's mandolin and Peter Wernick's banjo giving out a true traditional sound. The late Charles Sawtelle's excellent guitar playing is given a spotlight so as not to be drowned out by the more powerful banjo and mandolin sound. The "high lonesome" vocals draw the listener right in. As all four pickers are also listed as vocalists, it's impossible to know who's singing what, when, but all four are apparently excellent singers, so there's no complaint there. The steady rhythm of the bass is always overlooked, but a nod to Nick Forster, as well.
Second is the traditional "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning," played with pure heart and soul and some excellent vocal harmonies.
"Empty Pocket Blues" opens with a hot-sawed fiddle; it's a foot-stomping high-tempo jig, pure instrumental, highlighting each of the excellent players in turn. Tim O'Brien is as good on fiddle as he is on mandolin.
Track 4 is the introductions of the band. Charles Sawtelle hails from Austin; Pete Wernick is
introduced as the President of the International Bluegrass Music Association and Family of
Humanists; Tim O'Brien is from Wheeling, West Virginia and is introduced as lead vocalist;
Nick Forester is from North Boulder.
"Radio Boogie," like Conway Twitty's "Boogie Grass Band," shows how bluegrass, rock, and country are all related, and when you put them all together, it's magic.
"Just Like You," penned by band member Pete Wernick, is a sweet tune about how everyone has the lonesome blues, just like you. Again, there are some superb vocal harmonies.
"Climbing Up A Mountain" is another original, this time from the pen of Tim O'Brien. Rich harmonies blend on a traditional-sounding high-tempo jig with some excellent banjo licks.
Next is the familiar "Walkin' the Dog," an old-timey tune with a spirited feel and warm fiddle playing. Excellent vocals on this track.
"Frank's Blues" is another tune from Pete Wernick (writing with Frank Edmonson). Sharp
instrumental, spotlighting each soloist in turn. Hot banjo, hot mandolin, hot guitar, and as
always, that steady bass rhythm.
"A Voice on the Wind" is purely traditional in feel and presentation. Light, sweet vocals carry a lovely mountain tune of the sorrow of lost love. It's a beautiful song.
"Shadows In My Room" is written by Nick Forster. It's a strong vocal with only an undercurrent of beautiful playing to support the voice.
"Nellie Kane" comes from Tim O'Brien. Spritely mandolin playing highlights this sweet hillbilly love song.
Next is another band original, from Charles Sawtelle. "The Butcher's Dog" opens with the audience being asked to just imagine what it's like to be the butcher's dog, and we're lead into a lighthearted instrumental with our imaginations open. What a happy dog.
The traditional "Working On a Building" comes next, with an arrangement by Tim O'Brien.
Lovely work on picking and vocals, with a sad, high-lonesome fiddle mourning in the
background. Old-time gospel style.
Tim O'Brien gives us the next song, as well, "Walk the Way the Wind Blows," which is a lovely modern-style tune, mournful and sweet, about love and loss and moving onward. Beautiful!
Next track is the old Earl Scruggs' hit, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." If you don't think you know the song, you do. Pete Wernick plays Scruggs' style excellently. There are few bluegrass bands that don't love doing the "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," and it's very easy to hear why. It's probably one of the greatest of all time, and always fun to listen to. Unfortunately, they only play one verse.
"High on a Mountain" is a rich traditional-sounding track, beautifully presented and performed, with excellent vocals and playing. More of those lonesome sounds.
"Colleen Malone" is a beautiful old-time Irish love song, which means extremely sad lyrics to a bright, cheerful tune. Celtic music is one of the roots of bluegrass; it shows in this tune just how strong a root that is.
"Life's Too Short" cheers the spirit with some excellent banjo and the familiar refrain, "Here today and gone tomorrow, life's too short to borrow sorrow." Sometimes love lost songs have to face the loss head-on, and leave the untrue lover.
The final track is "Won't You Come and Sing For Me," a tune of farewell at the end of days. "Sing for me before I go, in the 'circle be unbroken' style; my burden is heavy, my way has grown weary, I have traveled a road that is long." A beautiful ending to a fine disc. (Although there is a listing for a "hidden" 21st track, it appears to be nothing more than 4 seconds of silence.)
Song List:
Audio clips courtesy of Barnes and Noble.
Album cover, used with permission of Sugar Hill Records.
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