Customer Reviews

Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions)

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4 star:		(6)
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Marty Stuart is best when left to his own devices. Since the "no hat" days of the early nineties, Marty has taken control of his records, subsequently producing the masterpiece, "The Pilgrim", as well as classics, including "Country Music" and "Badlands".

I suspect even those who aren't fans of true (or traditional) country music can still appreciate that Marty is the "curator" of the legacy.

This album is no exception.

From the opening track, "Branded", with its sly homage to Merle Haggard, including Roy Nichols-like guitar licks, to a remake of the 1965 Warner Mack hit, "The Bridge Washed Out", to a lovely duet with wife (and legend) Connie Smith, "I Run To You", the 1960's country music sound is alive and well, just a bit more bright and shiny.

Standout tracks on this album, in addition to the aforementioned, include, "A World Without You" (my favorite). This track, folks, cannot be mistaken for anything BUT country music in its truest form. Also here is an instrumental version of Ralph Mooney's "Crazy Arms", featuring Ralph himself on steel. "Hummingbyrd", too, is a nice, ringing instrumental. Marty and Ralph collaborated on "Little Heartbreaker", a bouncy ditty that features some Wynn Stewart-like steel guitar licks.

Not everything works, but the minor nits I have with this CD do nothing to detract from this superior effort by Marty.

Be forewarned: If your idea of country music is dirty dishwater that's lost most of its foam, you probably won't like Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions.)

If, on the other hand, you love music, and are able to discern between country music junkies and country music junk, you really can't go wrong surfing on over to Amazon and clicking the "buy" button.

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Prime Cuts: Branded, I Run to You (with Connie Smith), Drifting Apart

If Stuart is to be faulted, he's definitely not one to be faulted for being chary. Ever since he has left the major recording labels, he has had spread his trawl to encompass a plethora of genres: from his tribute to the Sioux American Indian culture ("Badlands") to his worshipful excursion to soulful Gospel ("Soul's Chapel") to his live bluegrassy experiment ("Live at the Ryman"). As far as Stuart is concerned, he is never constrained sonically by genres. This time round he isn't temerarious either. "Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions)" is a return back to tip back to the past -harkening back to the days where country music was melodically driven bolstered by heart rendering lyrics backed by a barricade of rustic instruments such as the banjo, fiddle, steel and guitar. In keeping with a rich heritage, these tracks were recorded in the historic setting of the legendary RCA B Studio where Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Donna Fargo and many other greats have had recorded there.

While Stuart has been known for his hillbilly rock, this disc uncharacteristically has a larger share of ballads. And those who have come to love Stuart's ballads will have much to rejoice here. A slice of brilliance comes with the Connie Smith's co-write "A World Without You" that is made even more gorgeous with the Jordanaire-esque backings. Stuart raises our social consciousness with the acoustic stripped down "Hard Working Man" where Stuart decries the fate of the blue collar in the midst of the today's faltering economy. "Drifting Apart" segues into some stone cold country moments: Stuart brings back those George Jones cry-in-the-beer saturated blues on this steel-laden ballad. "I Run to You" (not the Lady Antebellum song of the same title) is a heart flattering love song sung as a duet with Stuart's wife Connie Smith. "I Run to You" has all the hallmarks of greatness--romantic, moving and all so sweet.

Picking up the tempo, "The Bridge Washed Out" is a revived cover of the 1965 Warner Mack hit, this time with Stuart giving it a polished country rock feel. While vanguard single "Branded" is a homage to Merle Haggard's "Branded Man." "Branded" is a propulsive barn burner that finds its boast in its sturdy melodic line embraced with a 70s pop charm. Of historical value is "Hangman"--one of the last few songs co-written by the late Johnny Cash sometime before his death. Stark with a barebones blues feel, "Hangman" is an offbeat story song about forgiving a murderer that has a shocking introductory line: "I killed another man today."

Not everything works though. "Porter Wagoner's Grave" is a narration that has a Gospel message. Yet for the uninitiated such narration may be a little too left of center. The same goes with the couple of train songs "Mississippi Railroad Blues" and "Ghost Train Four-Oh-Ten" -they are a little too esoteric for mass appeal. Despite these bumps in the tracks, "Ghost Train" is still a historic ride of beauty, nostalgia, pain and love waiting for us to hop on to enjoy. This is a ride not to be missed.

Marty Stuart is not only a fantastic musician but as anyone who was lucky enough to hear his series of shows broadcast on Sirius/XM radio can tell you, he knows how to put together a show that is fun, entertaining, and chock full of great American music. The same can be said for his latest release GHOST TRAIN (THE STUDIO B SESSIONS). Here is true-blue country music the way it is supposed to sound, blazing bluegrass and rockabilly, heart-wrenching ballads, in other words everything you need to turn your own living room into that honky-tonk you used to love but which somehow got replaced by a fast-food franchise.
Along with The Fabulous Superlatives (drummer Harry Stinson, bassist Paul Martin and the always exceptional guitarist Kenny Vaughan) Marty Stuart has created another timeless masterpiece and one that will make any true music-lover a very happy camper.
(Also worth mentioning for fans of real Country Music is his Telly Award winning TV program "The Marty Stuart Show" which is one of the few watchable country music programs on television, and a breath of much needed fresh air in the relentless cycle of bland corporate Country Pop that Nashville keeps trying to convince the rest of America it really wants.

Growing up with Marty Stuart in hometown Philadelphia, MS was as exciting as listening to this new CD. Marty displays his wholesomeness, down-to-earth, spirtual person that he has always been. His compassion for his music and heritage is displayed throughout Ghost Train. And, I also enjoyed the reflections of good ole Philadelphia. I look forward to listening to more of Marty in the future...'Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions)

Wow, I haven't been this impressed with a country album in years. The other reviewers are right about just how good this album is. Marty has made these songs sound vintage, without making them sound corny. The song "Branded" is classic late-60's Merle, while "Drifting Apart" and "I Run to You" sound like they're straight out of 1964. Also, I love the remake of "The Bridge Washed Out"...a great forgotten country classic. I'm not crazy about "Porter Wagoner's Grave" or "Little Heartbreaker", but they're not bad songs. Nice to see a real country album for a change. Of course, it won't get airplay on most country stations, but then again, most good country songs don't, anymore. Thanks for a great album, Marty!

This latest offering from Marty Stuart was well worth the wait - he continues to turn out interesting and innovative country music - one day I hope to make it from New Zealand to the Ryman to see him in person.

I have to say that I am a little biased towards Marty Stuart. I mean, I approached this album already knowing I was going to love it...and it didn't disappoint. I have been a Marty Stuart fan for years now and let me tell you, I feel blessed to own this record. This is what Country Music is all about...heck, this is what music is all about. Marty is a true artist, one heck of a musician, and a gem to the Country Music world. No one can convince me that pop music they play on the radio is country music...THIS is country music! Enjoy.

Terrific!!! Well, 95% anyway. I've only heard of this band within the
last two years and, been blown away by their superb talent.
Go out and buy it folks, if you're a Country/Hillbilly,Blues and Gospel
fan. Bill Johnston Kendal.

Marty Stuart doesn't make any bad albums. 'Ghost Train' is another great collection. I saw him at Merlefest and he is one of the best.

Excellent guitar and lyric work by one of the best pickers in Nashville. Hes the heart of country, and is intent upon getting the story out of our great country stars. I love it...