Customer Reviews

Things In Life

5 star:		(5)
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A must buy for every banjo player. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that this little known gem of a CD is one of the greatest bluegrass banjo CD's of all time. Don Stover's rare combination of great vocals, amazing banjo, tasteful choice of songs and perfect mix of bluegrass instruments all work together to create a CD with a really cool bluegrass vibe that has stood the test of time. Stover's laid back vocal style blends amazingly well with his banjo playing style as he effortlessly blazes through track after track with ease that only comes from a lifetime of making bluegrass banjo music. Stover even mixes in some solid clawhammer tracks with his very high quality hard driving rythmic banjo. The CD has a perfect mix of instrumental tracks and it's especially cool to hear a banjo player that can actually sing well. After reading about the life of Don Stover, I appreciate this CD even more.

I'm so glad the digital age caught up to this sweet little album... now I don't have to wear my old vinyl copy out anymore! This is a style of bluegrass music that I just love -- humble, confident in its own worth, but back-porchy and still a little bashful. If you like the sweeter, more melodic side of say, Ralph Stanley, and don't feel the need for drag-race style instrumental fire, then check this quiet, unassuming album out. I was surprised (but very pleased) when Rounder reissued this disc -- it's always been a favorite, but it's so low-key it hardly seemed like a candidate for revival. So, hey, take advantage of its availability while you still can, before it goes out of print for another fifteen years! Also features some of the most understated mandolin work David Grisman has ever done.

This is the first traditional bluegrass recording I've owned and I think it's started a love affair. I'm a fan of Lyle Lovett and Alison Krauss, but my otherwise far-reaching musical tastes have not ventured much into country and bluegrass. What a gem this album is! It's got me researching into his recordings with the Lilly Brothers and Bill Monroe. If you like bluegrass or just think you might, I don't see how you could do better than this. Every song is a keeper, and although I like Don's voice very much, I think my favorite is the beautiful instrumental, "Black Diamond" (referring to his coal mining days). I would be remiss if I didn't mention that in addition to wonderful songs and terrific banjo, David Grisman's mandolin playing is marvelous.

Don plays with that drive and tone that you associate with the 1950's. He plays hungry and sings with hillbilly soul. This album has great back up musicians and a nice variety of songs. He does a clawhammer tune or two that is very enjoyable, especially the one about bringing back his old coon dog. I have found "Things in Life" worth listening to over and over. I am a banjo player, so you can't necessarily go by what I say...

Ole Liza Jane on this album is my favorite bluegrass instumental of all time. The rest of the album is great, too, but I would not put it in my top 10: That's how good Ole Liza Jane is. I bought this ablum shortly after it was released in the mid-70s, and still have the vinyl, but it was the digital world that revived my interest in this album just a few years back. Stover and Grisman absolutely cook on this album.