Larry Sparks - The Footsteps Of Tradition

(King Bluegrass KB-527) 1974
Also issued in Japan (London LAX(KB)-6004) 1975.

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After Starday's financial difficulties in 1973/4 led to Ramblin' Bluegrass becoming unavailable, Larry re-recorded seven tracks from it for King Bluegrass' 'The Footsteps Of Tradition'. Recording for the album was completed by May 1974^[1] and the album was advertised for sale in September.^[2]

The re-recorded material is generally faster than their counterparts on Ramblin' Bluegrass, particularly so on Kentucky Chimes, Dark Hollow and Goodbye Little Darlin' which are performed at a frantic pace; with Too Much Mountain Dew, A Life Of Sorrow, Memories And Dreams and Faded Love also being noticeably faster. The biggest change however is in the instrumentation & arrangements. In 1973 the Lonesome Ramblers had also undergone line-up changes, with former CMB Ralph 'Joe' Meadows joining on fiddle, and Tim Maynard^[3] & then Dave Evans replacing Wendy Miller on banjo. The harmony vocals with Dave Evans have a much harder edge, and aside from one track on Ramblin' Guitar and some uncredited backing fiddle on New Gospel Songs, Larry's previous work had been fiddle free.

Overall, I prefer the Ramblin' Bluegrass versions, but the new renditions are still worth a listen.

Of the five 'new' tracks, the Stanley Brothers influence is apparent with inclusion of Carter's Think Of What You've Done and Just Because (which the Stanley's recorded for their Folk Concert LP). There's also a neat version of I Am The Man Thomas which Larry co-wrote with Ralph.

Larry's love of Hank Williams' music is also on display, with a version of Six More Miles which he'd also previously cut for his Ramblin' Guitar debut. Finally, there's a re-recording of He's Everything To Me which Larry first recorded on New Gospel Songs, and co-wrote with Joe Isaacs.

The album was issued in Japan with a lyric sheet (London LAX(KB)-6004) 1975. Five tracks from the LP were also subsequently included on the Rebel Dark Hollow LP (Faded Love, Six More Miles, Think Of What You've Done, Dark Hollow, Memories And Dreams).

Larry also re-recorded Faded Love on the all instrumental LP Lonesome Guitar (1985); and Goodbye Little Darlin' on The Last Suit You Wear (2007).

• Larry Sparks: guitar, lead vocal
• Dave Evans: banjo, harmony vocal
• Wendy Miller: mandolin, harmony vocal
• Art Weidner: bass

Other artwork / related images:

[1] The May 1974 'General Store' section of 'Bluegrass Unlimited' noted: "Larry Sparks and his group have just recorded a new album for Lemco and we understand banjo picker, Dave Evans of Columbus, Ohio has a tremendous 'Stanley' type voice. Something to look forward to....". Dave Evans was reported to have joined the band in the Feb 1974 'General Store' section of Bluegrass Unlimited.
[2] County Sales advert in Sept. 1974 edition of 'Bluegrass Unlimited' p.23.
[3] Bill Vernon's article on Larry in Apr 1983 edition of 'Bluegrass Unlimited'.