Paul 'Moon' Mullins - 'Moon' Mullins

(Vetco LP-3004) c1970. Reissued on CD (Crosscut CR-1003) ????.

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This is quite a decent trad bluegrass album, which features future (& brief) member of the CMB's and long-standing Blue Grass Boy, Wayne Lewis on guitar. The LP doesn't include any vocal credits, but it sounds like he does sing lead on at least one track - Ramblin Boy.

This album is un-dated but I believe it came out in 1969 or 1970^[1], when Paul Mullins was working at WPFB radio in Middletown, Ohio.

Side One features secular material with four instrumentals and six songs, and Side Two consists of ten Gospel tracks.

The instrumental's are particularly fine, with Paul Mullin's frenetic fiddle and R.C. Meade's splendid banjo work standing out on Cedar Grove, Fire On The Mountain, Dance Around Molly and Moon's Folly.

Katie Dailey was originally recorded by Paul Mullins on the 1963 Bluegrass Playboys - 'The World Of Bluegrass' LP, and picked up by Ralph in 1971 a year or two after the version on this LP. The song was given a bluegrass arrangement by Paul Mullins, but has an interesting history. For more info see the Rebel F-315 entry.

The version of the Louvin Brothers' Seven Year Blues, and most of Side Two rely on the vocal harmony which although pretty good, is let down at times by a rather indistiguished lead parts. On Side Two, Pass Me Not probably has the best harmony parts, and Vision Of Christ the best lead. The latter song was originally by the Calvary Trio (REM 45-391), who version can be found on youtube.

With twenty songs featured on the LP, and a total playing time of about 46 min, the tracks by necessity quite short. The sound quality is also generally quite good, although there are noticeable mic 'pops' on the "P's" on The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mind.

Some pressings of this album have white labels, and what looks to a white LP jacket.

• Paul 'Moon' Mullins: fiddle
• Wayne Lewis: guitar
• R.C. Meade: banjo
• Paul Morris: mandolin
• Dave Powell: bass

Other artwork / related images:

[1] 'Bluegrass Unlimited' review by Walter Saunders in the July 1971 edition.