Customer Reviews

Sounds of Goodbye

5 star:		(4)
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I agree with most everything in Mr. Sandstrom's review below except for the three star rating. Regardless of whether you call this country-rock, folk-rock, country, or hillbilly music, this is a first-rate compilation all the way. If you, like me, love old time country music in the styles of George Jones and the Louvin Brothers AND you also love the electric guitar work of Clarence White, this music is a revelation. This is one of those albums like Johnny Darrell's California Stop-Over that probably never would have been reissued if it weren't for its tangential link to The Byrds. Whether or not this music is right for you depends upon your answer to the following question: Do you like George Jones and the Louvin Brothers as much as Gene Clark and Gram Parsons? If the answer is yes, you won't regret purchasing this album--especially if you are a fan of the late great Clarence White. The previously unreleased "Tell Me" has some of the most mind-blowing guitar work I've heard from Clarence and that says a lot. The liner notes are exceptional as well. My single regret is the sequencing of the music. While I can see why they changed the sequence of the original LP since so much of the non-LP bonus material is exceptional, I still wish they had kept the original order of the LP cuts in tact. I never heard the original Sounds of Goodbye LP and it's difficult for me to assess the "feel" of the original release of this record. Sure, I could program my CD player to simulate the experience, but that's far too much trouble.

Those who are familiar with the Gosdin's probably know them either from Vern "The Voice" Gosdin's country music success in the late '70s and early '80s, or their backing slot on Gene Clark's first post-Byrds project, "Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers." The brothers' career as a duo has largely been overlooked, in part because they only recorded one album and a handful of singles, and in larger part because that 1968 album sat unreissued until now. Ace archivist Alec Palao has augmented the original album's eleven tracks (cuts 1, 10, 9, 24, 16, 7, 20, 4, 18, 14, 21, to replicate the album's ordering) with thirteen singles and previously unissued masters.

The Gosdin's gigged and recorded demos and one-off singles with various (and future) members of The Byrds, including Chris Hillman, Clarence White, Michael Clarke and Gene Parsons. They combined their country and gospel backgrounds with bluegrass and pop, and found themselves recording their debut LP in the thick of California's country-rock revolution. Produced by Gary Paxton at his Bakersfield compound, the Louvin/Everly/Owens-styled country sounds of their earlier singles remain, but mellowed by California experiences in playing folk and bluegrass. The drumming of Gene Parsons fits the album's casual vibe perfectly.

In fleshing out the album's story, producer Alec Palao has pulled together a number of pre-LP singles, including the Byrdsian original "Love at First Sight," and a trio of Chris Hillman produced country-rockers that feature Michael Clarke's propulsive drumming. Of these latter three, the unreleased "Tell Me" is the winner, with stunning electric flatpicking from Clarence White. White can also be heard picking a flamenco-styled storm on the Gosdins' pre-LP country hit "Hangin' On." This sentimental ballad is an unusual mix of country pathos and modern production touches that include a mellotron.

Palao's notes are quite detailed, stretching over 19 pages that include period photographs and reproductions of various Gosdin-related ephemera like record labels, session sheets and record charts. As others have mentioned, the decision to scatter the album tracks throughout the CD is somewhat baffling, particularly as it was not done in service of some other obvious ordering such as chronological. Still missing from this period in the Gosdins' career are a few tracks that include the A-side cover of Dylan's "To Ramona," a cover of Gene Clark's "The Reason Why," and several post-LP singles issued on Capitol. All sides here are crisply remastered stereo except for a pair of mono publisher's demos ("Uncommitted Man" and "I'll Live Today"), and they add up to one of the heretofore undiscovered gems of California country-rock. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

Vern Gosdin was one of the best voices ever to sing country music. This CD of his early music is outstanding. It includes some great Clarence White guitar work.

Most people are very familiar with country legend Vern Gosdin, also known as The Voice. His music came to fame in the 70s and lasted until his sudden death in 2009. At first glance, it might be difficult for someone to recognize Vern Gosdin on the album cover artwork. Vern is the man on the right wearing the blue turtleneck, but minus a moustache or masculine leathery skin. The man on the left side is his brother and musical partner Rex Gosdin, who played with him for many years before Vern called it quits and left the music business. Fortunately for us, Vern re-entered the music business as a country singer and produced mega hit singles. Sadly, Rex Gosdin passed away during the 1980s. The Gosdin Brothers recorded with Gene Clark of The Byrds and had previously played in a bluegrass band called The Golden State Boys (later renamed The Hillmen for reissues) with a young Chris Hillman, who later went on to tour and record in The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Desert Rose Band.

The Gosdin Brothers maintained an excellent folk/rock and country/rock sound, which is dominant on these recordings. If you enjoy The Louvin Brothers, The Byrds or the later 60s Everly Brothers, this CD compilation album will satisfy. Although most will recognize Vern Gosdin's voice, it is interesting to hear him sing music in folk and bluegrass stylings rather than his popular traditional country sound.