Old Time at Its Best
Jeffrey P. Bledsoe | Weatherford, Texas United States | 02/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like old time country music, you will surely want this CD in your collection. By "old time", I mean the pre-bluegrass, germinal style that emerged in the 1920's and 1930's.
One of the oldest among the tracks (pre Civil War), "I'll Twine 'Mid The Ringlets", from whose last line the CD title was taken, has special meaning to me. This tune was first recorded by the Carter Family as "Wildwood Flower" in 1928. I was raised in Weber City, Virginia, about 15 miles from the Carter Homestead and this song reminds me of growing up in Poor Valley, between Clinch Mountain and the Holston River. I remember my mother singing Wildwood Flower and playing it on her guitar but I also remember her saying she didn't understand the meaning of some of the words. (The Carter Family evidently recorded a version handed down through an "oral tradition"; in the Carter version, the descriptions of her hair and the flowers in the first verse defy explanation.) My High School band played this tune (and other Carter Family tunes) at pep rallies and football games in the early 70's. Robin and Linda sing the original version (or a version very close to it) of this ballad. The tempo of their arrangement is a little slower than the Carter arrangement, adding to the melancholy of the song, and the musical accompaniment is different, including Robin's harmonica and absent (Sara's) autoharp. In the solo guitar break, there is no Carter "church lick", which is okay because this arrangement is already a significant departure from the Carter arrangement. Robin's stark, melancholy accompaniment with guitar, harmonica, and harmony vocals and Linda's plain and heartfelt enunciation of the lyrics, in addition to my personal connection with the song, place this track high on my list of favorites.
My favorite track is "If I Should Fall Behind", written in 1992 by Bruce Springsteen; it's a simple song with a great message about marriage and it has outstanding mandolin accompaniment by Peter Ostroushko.
The only track I could have done without is "After The Fire Is Gone", a Conway/Loretta tune that I call "1950's honky tonk" music; it's acoustic but I don't consider it to be appropriate for this collection. One bad track out of 13 ain't bad.
Just take it from this "Wandering Boy", a native of Poor Valley who grew up surrounded by old time country music and who longs to return to "My Clinch Mountain Home" before it's "Too Late", you won't regret buying this CD. I plan to buy a few more of them for gifts."
A Total Pleasure!
Jo Ann | Staunton, VA United States | 02/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This latest CD from Robin and Linda Williams is truly wonderful! The variety of styles of music represented here keeps you jumping from country to folk to even bluesy. Their unique (and understandable) version of the Carter Family's classic "Wildwood Flower" is entrancing and beautiful. "Ramblin' Man" is Robin at his best. "Keep the Home Fires Burning" brings a simple and lovely taste of nostalgia, even to one who wasn't around to hear it the first time. This CD is a welcome addition to any collection."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
Alice K. from CHUCKEY, TN