Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road
Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road
Bill Monroe’s Mandolin
Pinecastle Records RC1242
Ms. Jordan is a mainstay on the bluegrass scene and her topnotch band delivers strong performances on each cut. Allen Dyer’s lead vocals set the tone along with Ben Greene’s fine banjo playing. Former band member, Josh Goforth shows up on the project playing fiddle and mandolin adding just the right touches to several tracks.
The album kicks off with the title song about the night Ricky Skaggs got inducted into the Hall of Fame and played Bill Monroe’s mandolin. It sets the tone for a program of solid bluegrass picking and singing. Ben Greene’s banjo shows off his command of that instrument on “They Call It Bluegrass.” Lorraine Jordan shares a sentiment we are all onboard with on “Ready For The Times To Get Better.” Greene, Jordan and Hooper all shine on the instrumental “Sally Ann.” Joe Pessoland takes the cake on this cut playing bass, guitar and resophonic guitar through the magic of overdubbing. Even with all of the studio gimmicks the band catches a strong live sound.
The program features several old country hits, “Boogie Bluegrass Band,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” featuring some nice legato mandolin by Jordan, and “Cherokee Fiddle” from Michael Martin Murphy. Hooper’s fiddle is quite nice on this cut. There are several guests on the project including Jason Moore on bass, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, mandolin and guitar and Skip Cherryhomes showing up playing guitar here and there.
Jordan has two originals on this project, “Living Like I’m Dying,” with a strong trio with Randy Graham and Allen Dyer. “Mama Can You Hear That Train?” bounces along with nice old-time bluegrass time. Through it all Ben Greene’s fine banjo playing makes track after track drive nicely.
They finish out the program with “Thank God For Kids” and “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms,” cementing their command of country aspects of bluegrass.
REVIEWED BY
Robert C. Buckingham
