The Crowe Brothers have been singing and playing together all their lives and professionally since 1975. They're Grand Ole Opry regulars and their deeply traditional style draws on the "brother sound" of the
Stanleys, the
Louvins, the
Osbornes, and the
Wilburns, as well as bluegrass, folk, and old-fashion pre-Nashville country. Their faces show they've been travelin' that hard road for a while, but their voices are youthful and full of spring, with high wailing sibling harmonies that send chills down your spine. Backed by some of the best pickers in the genre, they tear through a dozen tunes with masterful aplomb.
"Cindy Mae" written by
Pine Mountain Railroad's
Cody Shuler opens the set on a high note with the brothers' warm high harmonies and
Steve Sutton's jaunty banjo adding to the tune's playful feel.
Josh Crowe's
"Million for a Broken Heart" is an old-time country tune given a workout that's halfway between
Bob Wills and
Hank Williams;
Steve Thomas' fiddle,
Randy Kohrs' lap steel and dobro, and the honky tonk piano of special guest
Buck White give the tune a smooth swinging treatment.
The Louvins'
"Are You Teasin' Me?" is an old favorite, but sounds brand new when the
Crowes wrap their warm high harmonies around the lyric,
Thomas' fiddle and
Sutton's banjo trade fours between verses. The brothers engage in a little Sunday morning call and response on the vocals when they sing
"I Know I'm Saved," an uplifting bluegrass gospel tune.
Don Reno brings his lyrical, Dixieland style banjo to his own composition
"Better Luck Next Time," a weepy song of heartbreak and betrayal that the brothers make their own with their soulful vocals.
Thomas and his bluesy fiddling put the icing on the tear soaked cake.
"God Must Be a Cowboy" celebrates the pleasures of the wide-open spaces and hard work, while
"Country Boy Rock & Roll" another
Don Reno tune, closes the set with some faster than light picking that's pure bluegrass and not at all rock & roll with
Ronnie McCoury adding his impressive mandolin work to the ensemble. There's nothing new here, but if you're a lover of traditional music -- folk, bluegrass or country -- that shouldn't put you off. The warmth, sincerity, musicianship, and open-hearted joy
the Crowe Brothers bring to every note they sing and play makes this album a delight from start to finish. ~ j. poet
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