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James Alan Shelton - Echoes Of The Past

(Heartland HR-511) 1990

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This is James Alan Shelton's debut 'solo' cassette release, which came out a few years before he joined the CMB's. James described the album in the liner notes as: "This recording is intended as a tribute to the songs I grew up with and the musicians who played them".

The cassette is now pretty much impossible to find, but fortunately it was reissued on CD as Standing Room Only in 1999, albeit with the track order re-arranged and slightly different artwork. (i.e. what looks like a Stanley Brothers poster is no longer on the wall besides James.)

The album is pretty much straight traditional bluegrass, and with backing by Alison Krauss, Adam Steffey and Barry Bales features top drawer picking and backing vocals. Other personnel included Tommy Freeman who had played with James in Flint Hill circa 1982 (in which James played guitar and dobro) and Blue Ridge; plus Shawn Lane^[1] & Marcus Smith, who both also played in Blue Ridge. (James played mandolin and banjo in the later outfit).

Not all of the lead vocals are as strong as the instrumental work, but this is still a decent enough effort and worth a spin.

'Bluegrass Unlimited' reviewed the cassette in their June 1991 edition, which is where I've nabbed the cover art from. If anyone has a better image they can provide, please get in touch via the Contact page - Thanks!

^{[1] Yes - it is the same Shawn Lane who went on to play in Blue Highway.}