country's relationship with
bluegrass is a lot like the relationships between
reggae and
ska,
soca and
calypso, or
zydeco and
cajun music -- they aren't identical, but they're quite similar and share a common heritage.
country and
bluegrass are both descendants of the Irish, British, and Scottish traditions that immigrants brought to the United States from the British Isles in the 19th and 20th centuries; thus, some
country artists can fit right in at a
bluegrass festival if they're rootsy enough, and many
bluegrass-oriented artists include a lot of
country in their repertoire. At
bluegrass festivals, it isn't uncommon for someone to play
Bill Monroe one minute and
Ernest Tubb or
Hank Williams Sr. the next. Teaming up with longtime ally
Kathy Kallick,
Laurie Lewis provides a healthy blend of
bluegrass and old-time
country on Together. At times, it is hard to tell where the
bluegrass ends and the old-time
country begins. But, however one might choose to categorize a particular performance, this is a rewarding album. When
Lewis and
Kallick recorded Together in 1991, they had been working together for 17 years -- the singer/musicians first joined forces in 1974. So, not surprisingly, they enjoy a strong rapport whether they're embracing original material like
Kallick's "Count Your Blessings" (which borders on
country gospel) or putting their spin on
the Carter Family's "Little Annie" and the traditional "Going up on the Mountain."
Lewis and
Kallick share the lead and background vocals, and both of them play acoustic instruments --
Lewis is heard on fiddle, upright bass, and banjo, while
Kallick sticks to the guitar. Together isn't among
Lewis or
Kallick's essential releases, but it's a solid and pleasing example of the Northern Californians'
bluegrass/
country collaborations. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
