Larry Sparks - Pickin' And Singin'

(Pine Tree PTSLP-519) 1975.

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This album is said to have been recorded shortly before Dave Evans and Ralph 'Joe' Meadows left the Lonesome Ramblers^[1], presumably in the first half of 1975.^[2] The personnel listing however credits both Dave Evans and Mike Lilly on banjo, so it's likely to have been recorded over more than one session, and it isn't clear who plays on what track...

The album is another fine effort however, although the recording has a little top-end distortion on the vocals in places.

The album kicks off with a version of the Delmore Brothers' catchy Blues Stay Away From Me, and also includes versions of Flatt & Scruggs' The Cabin In The Hills Of Caroline; Hank Williams' classic I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry; and Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain which had been popularised by Roy Acuff.

Original songs which get their first outing include: Where The Dim Lights Are Dimmest, Each Night I Dream Of You, and Ramblers Ride.

Where The Dim Lights Are Dimmest is somewhat typical tale of the Honky Tonk, which was later picked by Ralph II for his Rollin' On Rubber Wheels CD. Each Night I Dream Of You has quite a 'Stanley' flavour melody/lyric wise and a few of Ralph's signature banjo licks. The instrumental Ramblers Ride also has some neat guitar, but isn't anything particularly special.

The album also includes four re-recordings of songs Larry had previously cut: How I've Tried - Bluegrass Old And New; Green Pastures In The Sky - New Gospel Songs; Loving Sweetheart - (Pine Tree PT-104) 1970; and Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - (Pine Tree PT-107) 1971.

Two songs from the album were later recorded by Larry: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry on Larry Sparks Sings Hank Williams (1977); and Blues Stay Away From Me on 40 with Vince Gill.

The LP was later reissued as Where The Dim Lights Are The Dimmest (Old Homestead OHS-90147) 1982.

• Larry Sparks: guitar, lead vocal
• Dave Evans: banjo, harmony vocal
• Mike Lilly: banjo, harmony vocal
• Ralph 'Joe' Meadows: fiddle
• Wendy Miller: mandolin, harmony vocal
• Art Wydner: bass

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Bill Vernon's article on Larry Sparks in Apr 1983 edition of 'Bluegrass Unlimited'.
[2] Ralph 'Joe' Meadows was playing with Jim & Jesse by June 1975 - "100,000 Miles Away From Home - Jim & Jesse On The Road", p.8-18 Aug 1975 edition of 'Bluegrass Unlimited'.