Clinch Mountain Echo

Charlie Sizemore - Good News

(Rounder 11661-0591-2) 14 Aug 2007


Charlie Sizemore - Good News
Rear Cover CD Tray

Average Album Rating: 4
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Charlie's first album for Rounder was released 4 Aug 2007, some five years after The Story Is... The Songs Of Tom T. Hall CD.

Another superbly crafted release, it stayed in the 'Bluegrass Unlimited' Album chart for 11 months, whilst the witty Alison's Band remained in the Singles chart for over 13 months. Reviewed in the Dec. 2007 issue, it was summed up as "not a weak song in the lot".

As with Charlie's previous few albums, the music is a mix of polished country/bluegrass, with a contemporary feel and well thought out arrangements & song choices.

Pretty much all the songs have very smart deftly crafted lyrics. Charlie's long-standing collaborator, Paul Craft contributes Mama Turn Aloosa My Soul and has a hand in the opening song I've Fallen (And I Can't Get Up), which he also cut on his own 'Too Bad You're No Good' CD (Strictly Country Records SCR-62) 2007.

Particularly noteworthy are The Less That I Drink, which Charlie co-wrote with Buddy Cannon; the aforementioned Alison's Band (which Alison Krause had approved); and the Vern Gosdin inspired Blame It On Vern... but the whole album is pretty damn good.

In the five years since the release of The Story Is... The Songs Of Tom T. Hall, Charlie had largely concentrated on his lawyer duties, with only occasional appearances listed in 'Bluegrass Unlimited'.

In 2008 he was more active on the bluegrass festival circuit, with one or two appearances a month listed in 'BU'. One noteable appearance on 12th Jan 2008 was at the Melvin Goins Homecoming Concert 'Celebrating 57 years in Bluegrass' with Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Joe Isaacs, Ernie Thacker, Tommy Webb, Bo Isaacs, Woodettes & Tom T. Hall. This was recorded live for DVD distribution to US troops away from home. (Anybody have a copy?)

Wayne Fields who played banjo on this CD sadly died 21st Mar 2008 from cancer, aged just 55. He had played previously with Boys From Indiana, and on mandolin for JD Crowe. Charlie later remembered him as a "humble and decent guy who I really don't think understood how talented and good he was".[1]

Track:
Title:
1
I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up

Paul Craft / David Kent / Patti Clements
2
I Won't Be Far From Here

Charlie Sizemore / Buddy Cannon
3
Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart

Hugh Prestwood
4
Devil On A Plow

John Pennell / Harley Allen
5
Alison's Band

Charlie Sizemore / Buddy Cannon
6
Whiskey Willie

Dixie Hall / Tom T. Hall
7
Blame It On Vern

Jeff Barbra / Steve G. Jones
8
No Blues Is Good News

Eddie Noack
9
The Less That I Drink

Charlie Sizemore / Buddy Cannon
10
Mama Turn Aloosa My Soul

Paul Craft
11
The Silver Bugle

Charlie Sizemore / Dixie Hall / Tom T. Hall
12
Hey Moon

Ron Workman / Mark Brinkman
13
My Dying Day

Hank Cochran / Craig Martin
14
Good News When I Die

Matt DeSpain

 


Go To Top Of Page [1] Chris Stuart's interview with Charlie Sizemore 'A Long Way From Puncheon Creek', p32-36, Sep. 2009 issue of 'Bluegrass Unlimited'.