Search - Charlie Waller & Country Gentlemen :: Songs of the American Spirit

Nice sampling of feelings and values in our Nation today

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 34:29 -- Charlie Waller formed the Country Gentlemen back on July 4, 1957 when he was determined to keep a gig at the Crossroads Tavern in Washington, D.C. It seems only fitting that this album produced by Eddie Adcock 47 years later has songs that capture the American spirit. Optimism, patriotism, perseverance, loyalty, and reverence are some of those elements. A defining voice of bluegrass, Waller also had to tap his own spirit after experiencing an aneurysm and mild stroke in 2000. He recovered and the 1996 IBMA Hall of Honor inductee fronted and performed with the band which, since 1993, was called "Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen." Less than a week before the scheduled release of this project, on August 18, 2004, a heart attack took Charlie Waller's life. Besides Charlie, the group on this album includes Greg Corbett (banjo, vocals), Darin Aldridge (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Randy Waller (guitar, vocals), and Les Deaton or Ronnie Davis on upright bass. Charlie, Greg, Darin and Randy all share the lead vocal spotlight, but liner notes don't clearly differentiate who is singing when.



"Songs of the American Spirit" include thirteen new classics from the pens of Merle Haggard, Tom T. and Dixie Hall, Grandpa Jones, Randall Hylton and others. They break up the set with the instrumental, Blackberry Blossom. Some favorites include the patriotic "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere," the rollicking "My Heart is on the Mend," and an inspirational "The Vision." Charlie's repertoire includes its share of slower-tempo'ed and ¾-time songs that suit his voice, beliefs and temperament. Dixie Hall's "Let Me Fly Low" is chosen for the album's closer and is a song that conveys a guardian angel's message. Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen have a reputation for great musicianship with emotionally-charged singing. "Songs of the American Spirit" offers a nice sampling of pieces that convey some feelings and values embodied by our nation today. When you hear Charlie sing "Let Me Fly Low," it will surely bring tears to the eyes of the bluegrass community as we remember a great man who made significant contributions to this music during the course of his career. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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