Livin in the Past: Legendary Live Recordings [Live]

Kentucky Colonels | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Rural Rhythm
• ASIN: B0000CABKG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,955 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fire On the Mountain

2. If You're Ever Gonna Love Me

3. Julius Finkbine's Rag

4. Dark Hollow

5. Memphis Special

6. He Said If I Be Lifted Up

7. Get Down On Your Knees and Pray

8. Lee Highway Blues

9. Shuckin' the Corn

10. Ocean of Diamonds

11. Angels of Death [*]

12. Barefoot Nellie

13. Train 45 [*]

14. A Hard Hearted

15. Chug a Lug

16. Alabama Jubilee [*]

17. Sunny Side of the Mountain

18. Journey's End

19. Sheikh of Araby

20. Good Woman's Love

See all 37 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bluegrass isn't filled with tragic stories of early demise, but two of the genre's most tragic figures team up on this exhilarating collection. Flat-picking guitarist Clarence White and fiddle champion Scotty Stoneman died within four months of each other in 1973, leaving precious few recordings behind for us to savor. This prized CD collects a slew of live cuts recorded between 1961 and 1965, when the Colonels were a brash Southern California bluegrass ensemble attacking mountain music with youthful exuberance and astonishing technique. Jerry Garcia went so far as to call Stoneman the "bluegrass Charlie Parker" and it's hard to argue when listening to his whirling fiddle fire; the deified White was already a fluid, formidable force on guitar before incorporating what he learned from master Doc Watson. However, the Colonels were much more than mere virtuosic showboats: they excelled at heartfelt two- and three-part harmony singing (led by Clarence's brother Roland) and were as likely to bust out an age-old gospel number as they were to play a roaring fiddle tune, bluegrass standard, or even a jazz staple like "Sheik of Araby." --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

The Kentucky Colonels only played together for a short period of time, but the legacy of Roland White, and even more so of guitarist Clarence White, has kept the band's name alive. But the White brothers are only two of the many reasons to appreciate this band. For starters, there is the instrumental dexterity of fiddler Scotty Stoneman, banjoist Billy Ray Latham, and bassist Roger Bush. One should also mention that the group is a vocal powerhouse. There are 25 tracks on Livin' in the Past, taken from a number of performances during the early- to mid-'60s, and clocking in at over 73 minutes. The material ranges from the four-part gospel singing of "Get on Your Knees and Pray" to wonderful instrumentals like "Julius Finkbine's Rag." On this latter piece, Clarence White transforms "Beaumont Rag" into a guitar standard, filled with phenomenal flatpicking. On "I Am a Pilgrim," his guitar playing -- as the saying goes -- will knock your hat in the creek. Roland White shows that he's no slouch with some speedy mandolin picking on "Barefoot Nellie," while Stoneman's fiddle shines on "If You're Ever Gonna Love Me." The Whites turn in a great brother duet on "Dark Hollow," and add Bush for a nice trio on "Ocean of Diamonds." This album provides a nice snapshot of the Kentucky Colonels at the height of their powers, and provides a fuller picture of the band's talents than Appalachian Swing! because of the inclusion of vocals. For bluegrass fans who enjoy traditional singing and progressive playing, Livin' in the Past should prove more than satisfactory. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lemme hear a YEE-HAW!, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Livin in the Past (Audio CD)

Sure, Clarence White is extarordinary as a picker, with all the other cats in this assemblage more than pretty good. The middle section of the CD, with some old-timey gospel gems, is a treasure. These guys are so relaxed with their sound, not playing every lead just to impress everybody, but to give feel to the tunes. I have become really enamored of the style where the group operates around one microphone. the sound of the instruments as they "dance" in and out makes it a visual as well as audio pleasure. These guys are flat out great at this style of performing. A hearty recommendation to pick this thing up. Experience this short-lived, but powerful force!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, April 22, 2005

By 

Matt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Livin in the Past: Legendary Live Recordings (Audio CD)

There are two types of bands- ones that shine in front of an audience and ones that shy away. The Colonels simply radiate. One of the most tasteful live recordings I've ever heard in any genre of music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Livin in the Past, September 17, 2009

By 

M. Javors (San Antonio) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Livin' In The Past: Legendary Live Recordings (Audio CD)

For those of us who relish recordings of Clarence White, this is another good one. Scotty Stoneman is remarkable on this recording also. there are a few repeats of songs and jokes from other recordings, but still a valid collector's item.