Search - Charlie Waller & Country Gentlemen :: 45 Years of Memories

Nostalgic collection infused with a new spark of energy

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 11/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since their first appearance nearly fifty years ago, The Country Gentlemen led by Charlie Waller have always been immediately recognizable for their signature sound characterized by expert bluegrass musicianship, Waller's lead vocals, and a repertoire heavily influenced by folk and contemporary sounds. This album from Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen, their first release for the Pinecastle label, is a nostalgic collection of their most requested hits. Recorded using the latest sound technology available, these hits are infused with a new spark of high-voltage energy and come back to life. I just wish that Charlie would've included a bonus track of "Bringing Mary Home," the song that climbed to #43 on the 1965 Billboard country music chart. However, the current lineup of Waller on guitar, Greg Corbett (banjo), Darin Aldridge (mandolin), and Ronnie Davis (bass) serve up a wonderful mix of our favorite memories. Joining the band for this project are Rob Ickes on resonator guitar and Greg Luck on fiddle and second guitar. The songs are familiar and come from well-known songwriters Pete Goble/Leroy Drumm. Woody Guthrie, Steve Goodman, Don McHan, Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Travis, Bob McDill, Pete Kuykendall, John Loudermilk, and Steve Young. I never tire of hearing grassified versions of House of the Rising Sun, City of New Orleans, and Don Quixote. I especially enjoyed their newer arrangements of "The Little Grave," and "Remembrance of You." Like the wind of a southbound train, this album indicates that Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen are travellin' men, seasoned performers with a number of hits that deserve to be heard over and over. -- Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now magazine"