Way Back When
Let’s face it—Larry Sparks could cut an album where he sings the ingredient labels for Oreos, peanut butter, and his favorite barbecue rub, and bluegrass fans would set it on repeat and let it ride for an afternoon. And it would be good.
And so Sparks, who doesn’t seem to desire to slow down, has released yet another winner, his 20th for Rebel Records, Way Back When. This collection features original pieces, covers, and some gospel. It’s no surprise that once again storytelling is at the heart of his work, and why artists such as Chris Stapleton, Alison Krauss, and Billy Strings list him as an influence.
The title track is an original by Guy Ferguson (co-written with Brent Moyer and Robert Tobin) and is as Larry Sparks as it gets. Ferguson, a longtime collaborator with Sparks, also penned (with Niall Edward Toner) “The Fields of Gettysburg,” adding another Civil War tune to the canon of bluegrass.
“Tennessee Border” was recorded by Hank Williams and Roy Acuff, and there’s another Hank tune in “How Can You Refuse Him Now?” There’s also Arthur Smith’s “A Daddy’s Lullaby,” “Come Back Darling” from Flatt & Scruggs, and Gene Autry’s “Ages and Ages Ago.” Sparks gives them a great trademark turn, with his distinctive guitar as strong as ever.
Sparks’ supporting cast is strong, and you can’t help but notice the banjo and fiddle work of Ron Stewart on “Since I Met You Baby.” The entire lineup of Evan Wilson (mandolin/vocals), Tyler Mullins (banjo), Michael Feagan (fiddle), and Larry D. Sparks (bass) shines from top to bottom.
One more thing: Sparks has been doing it so long and so well, a listener might even consider Way Back When comfort music, as it verifies that traditional storytelling bluegrass is still alive and well.
