Quintessential Bluegrass

If bluegrass music is the quintessential Appalachian music, then Hamilton County Ramblers is the quintessential bluegrass band, combining superb technical skill with heart and passion to produce some of the most enjoyable “down home” music I’ve heard in a very long time.

Thematically the album covers some familiar ground. Lost love and broken hearts abound in their sweetly sad rendition of “Cora’s Gone,” and “She Left Me Standing on the Mountain,” while the shoe appears to be on the other foot in the sprightly, “Wall Around Your Heart.”

Bill Monroe is the undisputed father of bluegrass music and the Scots/Irish roots of the style he created are clearly evident in the opening strains of “Separating Hearts.” “I Hear Ya Talkin’” takes a step in a different direction, exemplifying the best of Western Swing music.

It’s easy to think of bluegrass as instrumental music, and the players certainly showcase their ability on the traditional tune, “Old Chattanooga,” but then turn right around and make the point that bluegrass is just as much vocal music on their a capella rendition of Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times.” This particular arrangement, with warm, rich harmonies, is a standout track on an album that seems to be comprised entirely of standout tracks.

Josh Hixson, Roy Curry, James Kee, Jim Pankey and John Boulware are the Hamilton County Ramblers and their passion for and devotion to this fundamentally American style has resulted in a lovingly crafted compilation that belongs in the library of any lover of bluegrass, roots, Americana, or “Old Time” music.

The album is available through CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon and the Hamilton County Ramblers website.

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