Search - Various :: Smoke On The Mountain

Good but not particularly moving rendition of great songs.

William R. Oliver | Crittenden, KY USA | 11/04/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I assume this is the Daywind label recording of this popular musical comedy, which takes us to June, 1938, and the return of the Sanders Family Singers to gospel singing after a hiatus of five years. If so, it is NOT an original cast recording, and therein lies its problem. Several top-notch performers in the gospel music field are utilized, but there is no indication that any of them has ever performed the musical on stage. The singing and playing are professional, albeit with some curious editing and arranging, but not at all possessed of the enthusiasm that one hears onstage in a live production. The singers generally give us characterizations that are true to the script, with one exception. For some reason, this recording, following the lead of some stage productions, portrays Stanley Sanders as a hayseed who can barely sing, while his brother Burl sounds like a city slicker. Nothing in the script or the musical score suggests such a characterization. I speak with some authority here; I have seen three productions of Smoke on the Mountain and appeared as Burl Sanders in yet another. If you have seen the show and want to have a recording of most of the songs it it, this will suffice; but don't expect to enjoy these renditions as much as you enjoyed them on stage."

A delightful experience

William R. Oliver | 09/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen Smoke on the Mountain on stage and find this recording to be an excellent way of reliving that experience. The characterizations are solid and true and the arrangements excellent. The quality of singing is top notch and the instrumentals quite fine. I am a teacher of drama and teach this script to my students and find this recording is a good way to help them hear and visualize the action of the play."

Smoke on the Mountain CD

F. Miller | 03/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Entertaining and inspiring music. The cast are funny and very talented, harmonic singers. I can't stop listening to this CD. I can't wait to see a production with this music highlighted. I have let some of my friends listen to this CD and they want to buy it also!"