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Blue
Circle Record's Latest Release:
BCR-015 Heather Berry & Tony
"Before
Bluegrass" (Click
here to listen)
| "Heather
Berry is from the Great Valley of the Shenandoah, a place rich in shades of blue
and green, and where American singing is steeped in community, family, and church.
She sings with her beloved Tony, blending voices and instruments in a melodic
style invented back when the noisy new automobile was scaring horses, John Dillinger
and Pretty Boy Floyd were in short britches, Victoria was the Old Queen, and Civil
War veterans marched in all the July 4 parades, scaring the bejesus out of the
kids with the Rebel yell. Heather
and Tony prove that old parlor style is still a great sound, and Dixie and Tom
T. Hall have composed some new songs that fit well in the old keys. Before bluegrass?
Well, yeah. But not before creecy greens, a yum, yum free food from the cornfields
that fed a lot of mountain people devoted to crumbling cornbread into creecy pot
liquor. Creecy greens can grow under snow and arrive in late winter, free for
the taking.. So sing along with Heather and Tony, they are a small young family,
and perhaps you will smell some creecies cooking..." -
Joe Wilson, National Council of The Traditional Arts
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| 04.29.08
Frank
Ray of Cedar Hill is to be inducted into the NATIONAL COUNTRY AND OLD TIME MUSIC
ASSOCIATION Hall of Fame this August at the Country and Old Time music Festival
in LeMars, IOWA. |
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03.28.08
Stacy
York shines in “Kentucky In the Rain”
By Dan Tackett Filed (CD
Review)
www.bluegrassjournal.com
| I’d
never heard Stacy York sing until a promotional copy of her new CD, “Kentucky
in the Rain,” came across my desk. I confess, my first glimpse of the CD
told me it was one to put on the back burner, something I’d get to on a rainy
day in Illinois. It just had that semi-pro look — not a lot of splashy, eye-catching
graphics on the cover and, hmmm, room enough on the back page of the insert to
promote a car dealership, a photographer and a Holiday Inn Express. Well,
I didn’t wait. I gave it a good listen a couple days after receiving the
CD, which is on Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall’s Blue Circle Records label. I’ve
been listening for several days now and my conclusion: Forget the rains and the
clouds, this gal shines when she sings.
|
York
has been associated for several years with Joe Isaacs & Mountain Bluegrass,
so it’s no surprise that Isaacs and several members of his prominent musical
family play supporting roles on several tracks. Needless to say, the Isaacs know
how to embellish a good thing. York
has one of those strong, pure voices that’s crystal clear and well suited
for the material she chose for “Kentucky in the Rain.” It glistens right
out of the starting gate, on the first track, the title cut, which was written
by the Halls. Tom T. even makes an appearance on the cut with some fine bluegrass
rhythm guitar playing that has all the bass runs tucked in all the right places.
In fact, before I even knew it was Hall playing guitar, my ears perked up at the
production on the song, which gives the rhythm guitar an unusual prominence in
the mix. York
tackles some standards on this CD with gusto. Notable are Bill Monroe’s “Can’t
You Hear Me Calling,” and Carter Stanley’s “I’ll Just Go Away.”
The Halls have another delightful tune on the track list, a swing-style ditty
called, “I Don’t See What I Once Saw in You.” York also gives special
treatment to the country classic-sounding, “Where the Roses Never Fade.” Joe
Isaacs brings his hard-driving banjo style on most of the cuts and also adds the
harmony vocals on the bulk of the CD. He also steps up to sing lead on an Onie
Wheeler tune that’s become a bluegrass gospel standard, “Go Home.” Others
handling instrumental chores are Rebecca Isaacs Bowman on rhythm guitar, Curnie
Lee Wilson on lead guitar, Jesse Stockman on fiddle and Sonya Isaacs on mandolin. Co-production
credits go to York and Joe Isaacs. “Kentucky
in the Rain” veers little off the beaten path of traditional bluegrass. But
York’s pleasant voice is strong enough to hold the attention of bluegrassers,
newgrassers and even fans of classic country.
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Sunday
Morning Revelations - The Beautiful River Of Life
Review on The Blog (www.bluegrassblog.com)
March
2008 - Bluegrass Recordings News Posted
By John Lawless: The
Soul Pickers are Shane Norman (mandolin and lead vocals), Tyler Anderson (banjo,
finger-picked guitar and harmony vocals), Daniel Wiseman (guitar and harmony vocals)
and Wayne Clemons (upright bass and harmony vocals) from the northern Alabama/Tennessee
area. They
formed in 2003 and since that time, the Soul Pickers have done over 275 dates,
including special church singings, homecomings, and revivals, as well as less
obvious locations for a bluegrass Gospel band, like restaurants, civic gatherings,
family functions and music barns. The
Beautiful River Of Life is the band’s debut album, coming courtesy of their
signing for the Blue Circle label in April 2007. The
quartet is supplemented on this 12 track collection by producer Tom Brantley (fiddle,
mandolin and bass vocals), Alicia Nugent (harmony vocals) and a host of ’shouters’
- Ms. Nugent, Brantley, Miss Dixie Hall, Melissa Lawrence, Becky Lawrence, Cari
Norman, Paula Wolak, Clemons and Norman. It
is pleasing to see groups now mining the Dudley Connell song catalogue. The Soul
Pickers open with a rousing rendition of God’s Not Dead - “I can feel
Him all over me.” The opening bars are sung a cappella before Anderson drives
the song on with a high degree of finesse that belies his youthfulness. (Read
More ...)
| Review
by Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine
March/April
2008 Issue
www.bluegrassmusicprofiles.com
Soul
Pickers - Beautiful River of Life
Blue Circle Records - BCR 010
Hailing
from Hazel Green, Alabama, this group of pickers preach their message through
their music. This four-piece, bluegrass-gospel band consists of Shane Norman,
lead vocals and mandolin; Wayne Clemons, tenor vocals and upright bass; Daniel
Wiseman, guitar; and Tyler Anderson, baritone vocals and banjo. Their music is
straight-forward bluegrass reinforced with tight vocal harmonies. The Soul Pickers
move effortlessly from hard-driving numbers to the smooth, soulful numbers and
are quite comfortable in either mode. The title cut is a beautiful composition
from Dixie and Tom T. Hall which lends itself well in showcasing the band’s
vocal harmonies. I Am the Man, Thomas is an exciting version. Even though several
of the titles may be familiar, these guys make no attempt to emulate other performers.
It’s got a distinct Soul Pickers’ style. BMP Used
with permission from BMP © Bluegrass Music Profiles 2008 All Rights Reserved
___________________________________________________________________________________ | December,
2007
2007 PowerGrass
Radio Bluegrass Gospel Awards
Bluegrass
Gospel Album:
"Tell
Someone" by The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band ... Rebel Records. Bluegrass
Gospel Group:
The
Cockman Family ... Sherrills Ford, North Carolina Gospel
Songwriter:
Paul
Humphrey also known as Paul Williams Bluegrass
Gospel Song:
"He Loves To Hear You Shout". Performed by The
Soul Pickers.
Album: The Beautiful River Of Life.
Written
by Dixie & Tom T. Hall. It’s on Blue Circle Records Emerging
Group:
One-N-Christ ... Gastonia, North Carolina Awards
based on listener response during the year and by David M. Bissell ... PowerGrass
Radio. Special thanks to all the songwriters, groups, artists, radio stations
and record companies for promoting powerful bluegrass gospel music. Special acknowledgement
to all the pioneers of bluegrass gospel music ... Carter Stanley, Ralph Stanley,Charlie
Sizemore, Larry Sparks, Del McCoury, Melvin Goins, Dave Evans, Lester Flatt, Earl
Scruggs,Ricky Skaggs, Paul Williams, Jimmy Martin, The Forbes Family, The Marshall
Family, Joe Isaacs,Doyle Lawson, Tom T. and Dixie Hall and many others ... thank
you! And
of course let us give all the glory to our Lord and Savior ... Jesus Christ!
___________________________________________________________________________________ |
Bluegrass
Now Magazine (Review)
November 2007 Issue
By
Bob Mitchell
The
Soul Pickers - "The Beautiful River of Life"
Blue Circle Records,
BCR-010, www.bluecirclerecords.com
Playing time: 37:06 The
Soul Pickers is one of the best gospel groups I've ever never heard of, and they
definitely merit greater exposure. Based in Hazel Green, Alabama, the band began
performing in 2003 and clearly set out to follow Psalm 33:3: "Sing unto Him
a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise." The Soul Pickers arent' loud
in a negative sense, but their music is joyful and soulful. Bluegrass fans will
find their song selection quite traditional and their harmonies consistently tight
and strong.
Members of the Soul Pickers include Shane Norman (lead vocals/mandolin),
Daniel Wiseman (guitar/vocals), Wayne Clemmons (upright bass), Tom Bradley (fiddle,
mandolin, and vocals). Guest Alecia Nugent also contributes harmony vocals.
Dixie
Hall said it best. After listening to this band, she urged fans, "Get batized
in traditional bluegrass gospel!" - BM
___________________________________________________________________________________ |
THE
SOUL PICKERS - THE BEAUTIFUL RIVER OF LIFE
Bluegrass
Unlimited
[October 2007 Issue]
Blue
Circle Records
BCR010 This
is the debut album from the Soul Pickers, a bluegrass gospel quartet from Fayetteville,
Tenn. Their sound is tight and clear, and they have admirable taste in songs.
"The Beautiful River Of Life" features a nice assortment of songs in
styles that range from the dark and modal old-school to smoother, more modern
sounds. In the former category are a briskly chugging version of the Ralph Stanley/Larry
Sparks classic "I Am The Man, Thomas" (one of the finest bluegrass gospel
songs ever written) and a less exciting take on Bill Monroe's "The Old Cross
Roads." It's hard to give that one the kind of soulful intensity that Monroe
did, and (perhaps wisely) these guys don't try-instead, they deliver it with energy
and conviction, but with a certain lack of edge. Where the Soul Pickers sound
most at home is on the more contemporary material, such as the simple and beautiful
"When I Wake Up (To Sleep No More)" and the more southern gospeltinged
title track (one of several written by Dixie and Tom T. Hall, in whose studio
this album was recorded). "Ain't That Just Like God" is a fun song,
despite its inappropriately silly title, and the album closes with the Halls'
joyful "He Loves To Hear You Shout."
Recommended overall.
___________________________________________________________________________________ |
12.12.07
Press
Release from Dixie Hall
(Blue Circle Records) HE
LOVES TO HEAR YOU SHOUT recorded by The Soul Pickers brings home double honors
this month both as #1 on the Power
Grass Top Ten and as the #1 Gospel Bluegrass song of the year for 2007
Power Grass Bluegrass Gospel Music Awards. According
to Blue Circle Records CEOs and songwriters Dixie & Tom T. Hall, “The
Soul Pickers are an angel band to work with. They have the knack and hard working
ability to get things right and they show promise of becoming a great presence
in traditional Bluegrass Gospel.” Hailing
from Hazel Green, Alabama the band includes: Shane Norman (lead vocals and mandolin),
Katrina Kolb (tenor vocals and upright bass), Daniel Wiseman (guitar), and Tyler
Anderson (baritone vocals and banjo). The band boasts of one the most versatile
sounds in the business, ranging from hard driving instrumentation and strong vocal
harmonies, to a smooth, soulful finesse.
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01.16.08
CEDAR
HILL
Poverty Row Blue
Circle Records
BLUEGRASS Reviewed 01-16-08
CEDAR HILL
Poverty Row
Hot
Damn! What can I say after reviewing Rhonda Vincent, to find out she wrote the
great line notes for Cedar Hill. This is fantastic bluegrass put together
with some of the greatest names in this business, Tom T. Hall and Miss Dixie,
Vince Gill, Molly Cherryholmes and the fantastic group that makes
up Cedar Hill, Lisa Ray, Frank Ray, Joe Wieneman, Rob Collins, Kenny Cantrell,
Ferrell Stowe and Bobby Minner.
Straight from the Ozarks,
Cedar Hill brings a refreshing and crisp sound of bluegrass to a new generation
and all 12 tracks are gems. Standouts include "Poverty Row", "Broken
Angels" with Vince Gill and two great intrumentals "Whiskers
In the Sink" and "Soldiers Joy" that goes back, way back to another
century.
Not a dud on this CD and it makes its debut on the Cashbox
Bluegrass Charts.
If it wasn't for Rhonda taking up space
at the top, this would surely go all the way.
~ JDH ~ | 
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Tom
T. Hall
Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie & Tom T.
Blue Circle Records
BY GRACIE MULDOON You
can’t have it any sweeter than Tom T. Hall singing the wonderful bluegrass
melodies written by himself and his lovely wife Miss Dixie Hall. This dyamic duo
of country and bluegrass music genres have lived a long, wonderful, storied life
together surrounded by many loving friends and family and being in the music industry
their talents have made them one of the most enduring, and unforgettable couples.
Most all of the tunes written have been drawn from their experiences in life -
the people, places and things that surrounded them that brought wonderment, reflection,
humor, joy and sadness into their lives. Miss Dixie and Tom T. are both gifted
and put those scentiments to paper in the most creative and memorable way - in
a song. The guest list on this one is astounding. Wow! ~ BMP ~ Jan/Feb
2008 Issue
www.bluegrassmusicprofiles.com
|
TOM
T. HALL/A Hero In Harlan
Writer:
Dixie Hall/Tom T. Hall; Producer: Dixie Hall; Publisher: Good Home Grown, BMI;
Blue Circle Records (www.bluecirclerecords.com) | No
mainstream country star of his generation has shown as much love and respect for
bluegrass as this Kentucky-bred legend. This gentle waltz aches with loss, yearning
and mourning for a fallen soldier. It’s the centerpiece of a song collection
that should be mined by every star in this city. Get a load of the supporting
cast: Glen Duncan, The Isaacs, Jimmy Martin, Don Rigsby, Earl Scruggs and Randy
Kohrs, for starters. Titled Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie & Tom T, the CD was
recorded at Miss Dixie’s request as his Christmas present to her. “Claim
retirement all you want,” she scolds him in the liner notes, “but the
music won’t leave you alone. And neither will I.”
~
Bob Oermann ~
(Music
Row Magazine)
| 
August 14th CD Review: Tom T. Sings Miss Dixie and Tom T.
Joe
Ross Review of "Tom T Sings Miss Dixie and Tom T" |
Interview
with Jack Wright on "All Things Considered" on NPR Radio |
The
Lonesome Pine Office on Youth announces the release of the two-CD set “Music
of Coal: Mining Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields.”Two
years in the making, this pair of audio CDs contains 48 songs addressing various
aspects of coal mining history and culture, including black lung, union organizing,
environmental impacts and the contribution of coal to the national economy. The
CDs are accompanied by a richly detailed book of liner notes with striking historical
photographs. “This
has been a collaborative effort involving many people in the Wise County area
as well as noted experts across the country,” said Paul Kuczko, director
of the Lonesome Pine Office on Youth and executive producer of the CD project.
“We’ve assembled more than two hours of music that truly gives the flavor
of our coal mining heritage.” According
to Jack Wright, who produced the CDs and wrote the liner notes, the musical collection
is a “hybrid” of old and new songs - some previously recorded, others
produced specifically for this project. “We chose some songs that came out
previously on independent labels and may not have been well known, but are vital
in telling original stories from the heart of the coalfields,” Wright said.
“In addition, we have well established artists represented here, like Ralph
Stanley, Dwight Yoakum, Natalie Merchant, Tom T. Hall, Blue Highway and the Carter
Family.”
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Tom
T. Sings Miss Dixie & TOM T.
HALL
Producer(s):
Dixie Hall
Genre: COUNTRY
Label: Blue Circle
This
modest bluegrass session is evidence that, four decades after his recording debut,
Tom T. Hall still ranks with country's greatest storytellers, and his beloved
wife and songwriting partner, Dixie, is one big reason why. Though the mood is
generally upbeat, funerals figure prominently in "Jimmy Martin's Life Story"
(recorded shortly before yodeling guitarist Martin's 2005 death and humorously
suggesting the avoidance of hard-drinking blues songs at the memorial ceremony),
"A Headstone for Harry" and the great "A Hero in Harlan,"
an unsentimental look at a small-town soldier's return for burial. Elsewhere,
pastoral memories of dirt roads, county borders and green hills surround acknowledgement
about not fitting in with the young folks. Sometimes Hall's just along for a relaxed
ride among an all-star cast of pickers and strummers, and he talks more than he
sings. But then, he's always been a great talker. —Chuck Eddy
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Bluegrass
Music Profiles Record Review: Carolina Road
Sept Issue 2007 - BY
HAL COTTRELL
Lorraine
Jordan and Carolina Road have a great new project out entitled, of course, what
better name than Carolina Road! The title track is sung by new band member Jerry
Butler, formerly of Pine Mountain Railroad, and he does a fantastic job with his
new gang of grassers. What a vocal talent he is and joining forces with Lorraine
Jordan - what a great match for great ‘grass! This band has been around for
quite some time - and headed by Grassy Girl Lorraine - has always produced high
quality music/songs/picking. Kudos to Lorraine and her illustrious band! My favorite
cuts besides the title track of course are Run Little Fox, Maybe You Will Change
Your Mind, Can’t You Hear The Mountains Calling! It’s all good.
~ BMP ~
Visit BMP online at www.blugrassmusicprofiles.com
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Circle Records | P.O Box 681286 | Franklin, TN 37068-1286
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