Search - Bill Yates & Friends :: Country Gentlemen Tribute

Recreates a sound from decades before

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 07/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 35:02 -- It's interesting that two recent bluegrass releases, Bill Yates' "Country Gentlemen Tribute" (on the Mastershield label) and The Country Boys' "Sing Bluegrass and Gospel" (on the Hay Holler label), both cover the same three songs on their respective albums. The songs in common are Redwood Hill, Little Bessie, and Walking Down The Line. Both albums actually chose "Redwood Hill" (written by Gordon Lightfoot) as their set opener. This reinforces the great impact that the seminal material of The Country Gentlemen has had on many subsequent bluegrass units. Perhaps it's because the songs are nostalgically soothing and fit the bluegrass repertoire like a pair of old shoes. Bill Yates was directly involved with the late Charlie Waller for 18 plus years, and his entire album is a tribute to capture and recreate the former band's sound. The Country Boys, on the other hand, are a North Carolina traditional group with over three decades of experience that simply loves the Country Gentlemen's repertoire (they also cover "Bringing Mary Home" and "Come and Sit by the River") while also incorporating a healthy share of bluegrass gospel. As a result, the common ground in both projects is the expression of honor, praise and respect in more ways than one.



Bill Yates spent many years playing bass for The Country Gentlemen, but on this tribute album he only sings (lead and harmony). The bass playing is left to Dave MacGlashan. To recreate the historic sound, the SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats member assembled some other excellent musicians too -- Mike Phipps (lead and harmony vocals), Darren Beachley (guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Dave Propst (mandolin, lead and harmony vocals), Kevin Mallow (fiddle), Scott Walker (banjo), and Mark Clifton (resophonic guitar).



These guys are well-known on the eastern seaboard as members of such fine groups as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Shenandoah Blue Band, and Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition. With four lead and harmony vocalists on the album, it certainly would have been nice if liner notes had indicated who is singing what. However, it is apparently Mike Phipps who provides the stellar vocalizing reminiscent of Charlie Waller's. Mastershield Records confirmed that it is Mike Phipps singing most of the lead on the project. Yates and Friends succeed in depicting both sound and psyche of the pioneering Country Gentlemen. While some may argue that it's the original releases that were most pivotal to the genre, it's also beneficial to revisit that same material with a new updated cast of musicians using contemporary recording technology to recreate a sound from decades before. Another volume is hopefully in the works for future release.



While neither The Country Boys nor Bill Yates seem to be striving for great commercial success with their albums, it's certainly heart-warming and reassuring to know that there are bluegrass groups like them. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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