4th February, 2007

JOE MONTAGUE   

Album: Tell Someone
Artist: Kenny & Amanda Smith Band

Label: Rebel Records, 2007

In A Word: Nostalgic

"The band’s recent CD 'Tell Someone' features some outstanding vocal performances, even better musicians and good ole Gospel lyrics."

Officially, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band have dubbed themselves as a performing bluegrass band but to me they sound like a good mixture of bluegrass and the way country music was sung in the Fifties and early Sixties. For those less familiar with bluegrass, the roots of the genre are intertwined with the roots of modern day country music. The band’s recent CD Tell Someone features some outstanding vocal performances, even better musicians and good ole Gospel lyrics.

You may be old enough to remember the Carter Family or the duo of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Perhaps you remember the early part of the movie of the Johnny Cash story -  Walk The Line - or have browsed through the vinyl archives. If you are familiar with that period in the history of music, then the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band will welcome back a flood of good memories.

I’ve Got More To Go To Heaven For features splendid banjo picking by Jason Davis. The song moves quickly, and, from the very beginning, Davis sets the tempo. A warm underlying bass-line is established by bassist Zachary McLamb. The two Smiths and Wayne Winkle (low-tenor) combine for an unblemished three-part harmony.

Bluegrass music has always been the story of the people and the land and the music on the CD Tell Someone is no different. The lyrics paint word pictures of real life situations with perhaps none as poignant as Craig Market’s words to Mary Had A Little Boy.

The ballad chronicles the life of a boy whose mother would not take him to Sunday school while all the other children attended. At the beginning of the song, the boy’s soul is described as “white as snow”, but as the song progresses Mary (the mother) notices his soul was turning dingy gray. When the boy’s soul finally turns “an ugly black”, Mary goes to Sunday school and “stays for the preaching too”, but to no avail. The preacher reminds her of a warning he issued many years earlier. While the song issues a warning to all parents, it should also encourage those parents who have sown the seeds of the Gospel and whose children have strayed for a season. There is hope that the message will be recalled.

I am a big Alan Jackson fan and while I by no means wish to compare Kenny Smith’s vocals to the country music great, I do think that if you enjoy Jackson’s music, you will enjoy Angels Calling At My Door. Daniel Carwile’s melancholic fiddle applies sombre brushstrokes to this canvass.

Steve Mowery’s One More Chance has the same Southern Gospel beat and flair that made the Statler Brothers a fan favorite for so many years. During our decade, the Parker Trio signalled a renaissance in Southern Gospel music until the premature death of Warren Parker last 7th January.

Bluegrass and Southern Gospel music have long been considered regional or niche music markets. Established artists such Alison Krause, the Del McCoury Band and Alabama have introduced new fans to the music. Bluegrass and Southern Gospel music often feature great harmonies, excellent musicians and tremendous vocals.

Tell Someone is true to the title, as the words of many of the songs on this album leave no doubt that there is only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ.

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