Country Music News 2006

Singer/songwriter Lorraine Jordan gets equal billing here with Carolina Road on this latest studio venture which features a good mix of original tunes penned by Lorraine Jordan and the group's David Guthrie, and covers of some country and bluegrass hits of the past. Bluegrass fans who like their music with a bit of 'country' in the mix will gravitate towards covers of Tupelo County Jail, a chart hit for both Webb Pierce and Mel Tillis; the Sheb Wooley-penned hurtin' tune Portrait of the Blues, cut previosuly by Jeff Chance; and the country/ bluegrass standard Cry Cry Darling, originally a hit for Jimmy C. Newman.

Also notable here is yet another Tom T. Hall composition recorded by a bluegrass band with Carolina Road's fine reading of A Beautiful River of life.

~Al Schusterman/KCBL

If you love traditional bluegrass then this project is for you. As soon as the first song started, my request line went into overdrive. From the start with "Tupelo County Jail" and ending with My Heart's Cry, this project went 1000 mph and didn't take a breath. The song selection was superb. The instrumental work was flawless and dove-tailed with the songs being sung. The harmony singing was excellent especially on
"A Beautiful River of Life". We also enjoyed the excellent guitar work on that song. It reminds me of Lester Flatt. The band was tight and you could hear the enthusiasm in their voices. I'm guessing that David Guthrie sang "Cry Cry Darling". If that is the case, he owes me for all the glasses that he broke while that song was playing. That was absolutely awesome! What a voice. We also enjoyed his lead singing on My Heart's Cry. On a scale of 1 to 10, this CD was 12! Every song on this project was requested to be played again. This project will be my constant companion for many weeks to come.

Many, many thanks for sending us a copy of Carolina Road's latest, A Stop In South Port Towne," which I think is the band's strongest effort to date. There are some wonderful tunes here which you all have imaginatively arranged and, of course, played and sung with your usual impeccable musicianship.  I especially enjoyed "Pickin With the Boys," "My Hearts Cry," "I'm Not Alone" and the wonderful title track. 

There's some arresting bluegrass here!  I'll be doing my best to get
the word out in Nashville and in our other syndicated locations.

Dave Higgs
Nashville Public Radio
Bluegrass Breakdown
PO Box 4369
Clarksburg, WV  26302-4369
David.higgs@sba.gov
304-623-5631 x229