| Lost in the Lonesome Pines - Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley | |
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Reviewed by Jennifer Webb
Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley, and the Clinch Mountain Boys are back together with Lost In The Lonesome Pines, the follow-up to their first collaboration I Feel Like Singing Today. Half of the fourteen tracks were solely written by Lauderdale, while all but one other ("Boat Of Love" by Bill Monroe) were co-written by him.
With the first strum of the banjo strings in "Deep Well Of Sadness," you are drawn in and will, no doubt, immediately know that the album will be nothing short of spectacular. Jim sings most of the song on his own while Mr. Stanley uses his voice to put emphasis on the chorus' lyrics that tell the story of just how bad sadness can be to a person. That particular state of emotions is compared to "a bucket on a chain," drawing up "the clear dark water" from the well. Just when a person thinks they are over feeling that way, it comes right back and they have to draw from the same resources as they did before to make it go away - hopefully for good the next time.
Wanting to get away from it all and be alone for a while is what is found in "Lost In The Lonesome Pines," written solely by Jim Lauderdale. While he feels the snow falling, he moves on down the road as he hears his former flame calling out for him but he never looks back because he knows in his heart that he will never see her again. His journey will be complete once he makes it to his destination in the pines, where he will never have to worry about his troubles again.
In "Zacchaeus," Ralph Stanley's son (Ralph Stanley II) joins in on the part of the song where all three sing about wanting the boy to "Come On Down" from high atop a tree, as Ralph sings the high part, Jim sings the middle part, and Ralph Stanley II sings it bass. When the boy stood up he declared that he will pay back whomever he has cheated and everything should be all right.
"Quit That" is an upbeat song that was destined to be written and released as bluegrass because what other way would you want to hear about falling for someone so deeply that even a smile would make the guy melt and put all sorts of thoughts in his head - including those of love. He has convinced himself that he wants no relation but whenever he looks at the girl, those silly thoughts fly right out of the window. At the end of the song, Ralph says "Quit That!" as if to express that he is about to break his "no love" rule for good.
The sweet sound of a mandolin opens up "Oh Soul," where a man will make no apologies for what he has done, but will praise the Lord for helping him make it through the rough spots. "Don't let me bend, don't let me stray, don't let me end up another castaway" Jim sings as though something really is troubling him. Whatever the man does, good or bad, he wants the Lord to know that he loves him and he will always sing His praises - even if that means that the angels make all of his plans.
The only song not written or co-written by Jim Lauderdale is a cover of Bill Monroe's "Boat Of Love." Have no fear if Christ is the captain of your boat, because when it comes time for a person to go out on their own and do things for themselves, "He'll guide us over life's rolling sea."
A perfect close to the album is "Listen To The Shepherd," performed with Ralph Stanley's voice being the only instrument found on the track - very similar to his "O Death" song. When the Shepherd calls your soul over to the other side, listen to it and do not be afraid for it is time for your passing.
There is such a wealth of the bluegrass sound to this album, and you cannot help but listen to this over and over again as you discover a different instrument each time the song plays - whether it be a banjo, mandolin, or fiddle. Lauderdale and Stanley have fun together and it is apparent on such songs as the fun "She's Looking At Me." When the time comes to sing a gospel bluegrass tune such as "Oh Soul," you can hear the ease with which they both sing together, as if they are great friends and feel like they can accomplish anything together.
Song List:
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
Album cover courtesy of DualTone
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