Charles & Lee Cline & The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers - Shalom (Peace)

(Atteiram API-1555) 1977

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This is the second album by Charlie Cline, after he returned to bluegrass following several years working in Christian ministry.

Overall it's a fine album of Gospel songs and consists of mostly original material - the only cover being a version of Bill Monroe's Get Down On You Knees And Pray.

The songs arrangements are well thought out, with several above average songs written by Charlie & Lee Cline. Vocals are also generally better than on some of Charlie's later albums.

Shalom (Peace) which opens the album, has a progressive feel due to the one-minute elongated introduction with prominent vocal & minimal backing. The song then shifts gear into a splendid instrumental section featuring great interplay between the instruments with a middle-eastern feel in places.

Time is another interesting song with Lee Cline musing over the passage of time:

"Time brings death, and time gives birth,
Moving swiftly through the Earth,
Making way for God's eternity,
And all the things we do or say,
He records them yesterday,
And he will not erase the memory

And we don't know what time will bring tomorrow
Maybe laughter or a million tears
But the Lord can take away our sorrow
And with his love can drive away our fears"

River Of Jordan and I'm On My Way Home have splendid harmony vocals, whilst the rendition of Bill Monroe's Get Down On You Knees And Pray is powerful, with dynamic vocals and fine mandolin...

Another highlight is Chuck Carpenter's spirited banjo intrumental Tower Of Babel, which also has a energetic mandolin break.

The album isn't too hard to find at a reasonable price. My copy is pressed on heavy duty vinyl, but unfortunatley the hole in the centre is a bit over-size, which makes placement on the turntable a bit tricky. As you can see from the photo of the Side 1 label, it also looks like it's seen some wear & tear.

• Charlie Cline: fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals
• Lee Cline: bass, vocals
• Chuck Carpenter: banjo, vocals
• Ed Wilson: guitar, vocals

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