Bridging the Gap

The Cumberlands

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Copper Creek
• ASIN: B00008NGD8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #479,423 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple values, heartfelt emotion, straightforward directness, June 14, 2003

By	J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Cumberlands (Harold Thom, Betty Thom, Jim Smoak) are an eclectic acoustic trio that blends elements of folk, bluegrass, country and pop music, to create their own authentic signature sound. In fact, it was thirty years ago that the trio was a dominant mainstream folk music force in Louisville's music scene, regularly played the clubs, and had a significant national reputation. Together for about ten years, they toured the country and recorded nine LPs.

With "Bridging the Gap," The Cumberlands will be back in the spotlight with their guitar, banjo, tambourine and singing. Curtis Burch adds dobro and guitar, while Ricky Burch contributes bass and fiddle to this project. Harold and Betty Thom both grew up in Shreveport, played in high school band, became sweethearts, and married during college. Starting a career in television, it was a fateful day in 1962, that Harold Thom met banjo player Jim Smoak who has performed with Bill Monroe, Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, Hylo Brown, and Earl Scruggs.

The 21 tracks on this new album demonstrate that The Cumberlands' have an affinity for music that spans a diverse and broad spectrum. Nothing pretentious or over-produced here. The songs convey simple values and heartfelt emotion, with a straightforward directness that explains why many of us found folk and acoustic music during the sixties. The songs range from Smoak's "This Heart of Mine" and "Charleston West Carolina Railroad" to Thom's "Lolly Too Dum" and "Idols of Gold" and "Junaluska." Ballads are a big part of the repertoire, and they offer the sentimental "Two Little Boys," the murder ballad "Jack Dringo," and traditional "Wayfaring Stranger." Some traditional fiddle tunes, like Mississippi Sawyer, Sail Away Ladies, Sally Johnson, and Cumberland Gap, are given some hard-driving banjo treatment.

While their voices have gotten a little deeper and huskier, The Cumberlands are back to remind us of their creative approach and significant contributions to acoustic folk music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)