Hand Me Down

Dirk Powell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 2009)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder
• ASIN: B00001IVQG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,683 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably Awesome CD...puts the "new" back in old time!, July 11, 2002

By 

"citternboy" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hand Me Down (Audio CD)

I can't believe I'm the first person to give this cd 5 stars!
First off, Hand Me Down is an old time recording featuring what you would expect from such; lots of burning fiddle playing, flowing clawhammer banjo, haunting ballads, driving string band tunes, and many traditional appalachian tunes (although there are a couple amazing originals here). However, this recording stands out among many contemporary old time recordings due to the *inspiration* and sheer mastery with which the music is performed. The music sounds so fresh and new, which is not to be expected from a style and sound which many consider dated and unoriginal. I feel that it is the best old time album of the last 10 years (although there are so many good ones to contest this...both Frieght Hoppers albums, Rayna Gellhart's Ways of the World, or Rafe Stefanini's Hell and Scissors for example). Dirk Powell channels this music like very few can. Those who have heard the brilliant "Songs From The Mountain" will of course already be familiar with his beautiful fiddle and singing but he is also one of the world's living geniuses of clawhammer banjo playing which this album features in spades (check out the song sample for Hop High for a taste)!
The chilling vocals of Ginny Hawker are also featured on this recording, most notably on "Keys to the Kingdom" where she sings accompanied solely by Dirk's drone fiddle playing.
Everybody on this album is incredible!! In addition to Ginny, it also features John Hermann (banjo), Jim Miller (guitar/vocals), Meredith McIntosh (bass) and Dirk's wife Christine Balfa (guitar).

Anyway, if you are at all a fan of old time, bluegrass, or American roots music in general, then I highly, HIGHLY recommend picking up this aural gem. You will not be disappointed!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a good'ern, March 28, 2002

By 

Michael S. Breid (Eureka Springs, Arkansas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hand Me Down (Audio CD)

With all the trash music that is plaguing the airwaves and stores now it is refreshing to hear some "real American" music. Dirk Powell and his group serve up a nice mess of tunes and play them very well. Hats off to Dirk and the crew. This is one album that lovers of old time music should add to there collection. Fine listening.

Arkansas Red-Ozark Troubadour
Ozark Mountains, Arkansas

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For those who love old time fiddle and banjo, November 12, 2001

By 

Roger Jönsson (Lund, Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hand Me Down (Audio CD)

This was one of those records I bought on an impulse, not knowing anything about this guy. I still don't, except that this record is full of pure, traditional sounding music played by a musical wizard. It's not bluegrass, but rather the old mountain traditions that provided the foundation for Bill Monroe's invention. It's fiddle & banjo tunes mixed with mournful ballads, sung almost acapella by guest singers on the record. Two highlights of the latter category are "The Keys To The Kingdom" and "The Cradle, The Coffin, The Cross On The Hill". It's a great record. If you can appreciate some instrumental tracks as well, it's well worth checkin' out.