Lost & Alone
Anyone who has followed Junior Sisk’s career knows what a wonderful traditional bluegrass singer he is. From Virginia’s Blue Ridge area, Sisk cites influences like the Stanley Brothers, Larry Sparks, Dave Evans, and The Johnson Mountain Boys. Sisk was the founder of the successful and award-winning Rambler’s Choice, and he was awarded SPBGMA’s 2017 “Male Vocalist of the Year” and he and the band continue to receive award nominations.
This latest project follows up on his successful Load The Wagon CD from 2021. Now he has gathered together a talented group to produce this newest release. They are Heather Berry Mabe (guitar, vocals), Tony Mabe (banjo, vocals), Johnathan Dillon (mandolin), Curt Love (bass), and Doug Bartlett (fiddle, vocals). Sisk plays guitar and sings lead on most songs, occasionally sharing the lead with Heather Mabe.
This project presents selections from a variety of sources to include Randall Hylton’s “The Lonely Side of Goodbye,” Danny Burns’ “Patches On My Hear,t, Paul Williams/Curly Ray Cline’s “Nobody Cares,” Paul Williams’ “I’ll Never Change My Mind,” The Louvin Brothers’ “Take My Ring From Your Finger,” and from Sisk’s father Harry “Up There On The Hillside.” Others include “I’m Chasin’ Old Memories Down,” “A Battle She Just Couldn’t Win,” and the Gospel “Take A Little Time For Jesus.”
This is a solid straight-ahead bluegrass album with great performances by all and of course featuring Sisk’s lead singing. The CD cover reflects the album’s title with a picture of Sisk standing alone and in shadow on a hillside. A very nice touch.
