Search - Cliff Waldron :: A Little Ways Down The Road

Bluegrass laid down right

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the late sixties, Virginian Cliff Waldron began playing guitar professionally with Bill Emerson (as part of "Emerson and Waldron"), recording for Rebel Records, and having a bluegrass hit with Manfred Mann's song entitled "Fox on the Run." Waldron worked briefly with The Shenandoah Cutups before fronting The New Shades of Grass from 1968-74, a group that recorded seven albums for Rebel. In 1974, he started a career with the National Park Service that would span 22 years. After retiring, he returned to playing, singing and recording bluegrass and gospel music, and Waldron has released two solo albums, as well as a gospel album with Paul Williams, in recent years. Besides Waldron, this latest project features Nevin Lambert (mandolin and vocals), Steve Spence (bass and vocals), Billy Wheeler (banjo), Mark Clifton (dobro), Doug Bartlett (fiddle), and Dale Perry (vocals). These pickers all hail from Virginia, and Billy Wheeler actually played banjo in an earlier lineup of The New Shades of Grass from thirty years ago. Their rendition of "My Saro Jane" on this project shows that Wheeler hasn't lost any of his chops. Waldron's voice may have matured a little over the years, but he still sings traditional bluegrass with a great deal of heartfelt sentiment and sincerity. Nevin Lambert sings the lead on one cut, I Would Like To See You Again. The band's choice of material ranges from the traditional (My Saro Jane) to a bluegrassy cover of Karla Bonoff's "Home." The title track presents a new song by noted bluegrass songwriter Leroy Drumm. And, of course, gospel material is always a large part of any Cliff Waldron album. Every track offers 3- or 4-part harmony, and it might've been nice to hear the band really tear up a hard-driving instrumental tune. These guys know how to lay it down right, and fans of traditional bluegrass reminiscent of the sixties will be especially pleased. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"