Charlie Sizemore - Good News

(Rounder 11661-0591-2) 14 Aug 2007

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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]

• Charlie Sizemore: guitar, lead vocals
• Danny Barnes: mandolin, low harmony vocal
• Matt DeSpain: dobro, hawaiian guitar, high harmony vocal
• Wayne Fields: banjo
• John Pennell: bass

Other artwork / related images:

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