STUART WYRICK

STUART WYRICK
EAST TENNESSEE SUNRISE

Rural Rhythm
RUR-1134

This first solo release by Wyrick showcases many of his musical friends including but not limited to Alan Bibey, Kenny Smith, Phil Leadbetter, and co-producer Steve Gulley. There are ten vocalists present on seven of the tunes. The balance are instrumentals and cuts that show off Wyrick’s splendid banjo picking.

The music is peppy right out of the gate with “Hitchhiking To California” and the title tune. Things keep rolling along with great breaks from the A-list of singers and pickers who populate this project. Some of the standout cuts include Dale Ann Bradley singing the Dolly Parton suggest, “When Someone Wants To Leave.” There is a nice version of Ernest Tubb’s “Walking The Floor Over You,” and Carl Story’s “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” features Vic Grave’s plaintive vocal and Smith’s fine guitar picking.

Throughout the project, the picking is all first-rate and the arrangements are inventive and fun to hear. Kenny Smith turns in some fine guitar breaks as expected. Bibey’s mandolin is always spot-on. Wyrick’s banjo playing is inventive without getting too flashy and never dull. If you are already a fan of Wyrick’s banjo picking, you’ll find a lot to like here. If his is a new name to you, then take time to discover this fine picker. This project has plenty of hot picking and great singing and should satisfy the fan of traditional bluegrass. (Rural Rhythm, P.O. Box 750, Mt. Juliet, TN 37121, www.ruralrhythm.com.)RCB