Live In Holland

In their time, The Country Gentlemen were one of the most influential groups in bluegrass. From their founding in 1957, over the next several decades, they recorded dozens of albums as key members came and went.

The Gentlemen were among the first to broadly expand bluegrass’s vocabulary by bringing in material from other genres. In so doing, they became part of the folk revival while also helping grow the popularity of bluegrass itself.

After long-time lead singer Charlie Waller’s death in 2004, his son Randy, also an extraordinarily gifted and versatile singer, took the reins. At the time this collection was recorded in 2016, the lineup consisted of: Waller – guitar, vocals; Mark Delany – banjo, vocals;  David Kirk – mandolin, vocals; and Gary Creed – bass and vocals.

Included in these 24 tracks are rousing versions of both signature songs from the Gentlemen’s prime and numbers added during the younger Waller’s time with the group. Included are: “He Will Set Your Fields On Fire / Redwood Hill.” “Rebel Soldier,” “Oh Mexico,” “Amelia Earhart’s Last Flight,” “Crying in the Chapel,” “The Fields Have Turned Brown,” “Shotgun Rider / Old Railroad Track,” “Southbound Train,” “Waltz of the Angels,” “Bringing Mary Home,” “Casey’s Last Ride,” “God’s Coloring Book,” “House of the Rising Sun” and “Copper Kettle,” among others.

These tracks were recorded in June 2006 at Het Oude Raadhuis in Hoofddorp, the Colonial Country Club in Valthermond, and De Vriendschap in Wadway. They were produced by Pieter Groenveld and Randy Waller.

There are a number of other Country Gentlemen compilations on the market. Still, this collection, which captures the band in a particular time and place, late in its long run, is a worthy addition.