TYLER GRANT AND ROBIN KESSINGER

TYLER GRANT AND ROBIN KESSINGER
KANAWHA COUNTY FLATPICKING

Grant Central
1802

Tyler Grant from Colorado and Robin Kessinger from West Virginia are both champion flatpicking guitarists and singers. They collaborate on this CD with Tyler’s guitar in the left channel and Robin’s in the right channel.

The recording opens with “Soldier’s Joy” in harmony and then taking turns with lead and backup. Next, they sing Carson Robison’s “My Blue Ridge Mountain Home.” Robin dips into his family tradition for “Garfield’s March,” recorded in 1928 by Clark and Luches Kessinger. Tyler sings Jimmie Rodger’s “No Hard Times” complete with yodels. Then there’s an excursion into the B “Blue Water Hornpipe” (aka “President Garfield’s Hornpipe”). “Russian Lullaby” comes from Irving Berlin via Jerry Garcia. “Wednesday Night Waltz” is another tune from Great Uncle Clark. “Boll Weevil” is from Tommy Jarrell. “Farewell To Long Hollow” is from Bill Monroe. It’s back to Jarrell for “Susanna Gal” and to Ireland for “Rights Of Man.” Reno & Smiley are the source for “A Dime Looks Like A Wagon Wheel.” “Flop-Eared Mule” is a traditional chestnut, and the CD ends with an a capella gospel song, “A Song! A Beautiful Song!”

Both guitarists are clean and precise and, of course, very inventive. Both of them sing pretty well, too. If you like great guitar picking and singing, this recording belongs in your collection. (www.tylergrant.com)SAG