40

Larry Sparks

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rebel Records
• ASIN: B0007D4MQ8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,138 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Newsweek, January 24, 2005
...If there's any justice, this CD,...should get him the mainstream attention he deserves... -David Gates

Product Description
40 is a stunning set that revisits some of the many highlights of Larry Sparks’ recording career and sets out to create some new ones, all with the help of friends and admirers whose names read like a "who’s who" of bluegrass and country music. Produced by longtime Sparks fan and advocate Don Rigsby (Lonesome River Band, Rock County), this disc features an all-star cast of instrumentalists that includes such distinguished graduates from Larry’s band as his son, "Dee," award-winning fiddler Stuart Duncan, banjoist Barry Crabtree (Wildfire), and mandolin ace David Harvey (Harley Allen Band, Claire Lynch Band), together with special guests like resonator guitarist Randy Kohrs and current members of his band, the Lonesome Ramblers.

Yet as glittering as the list of guest pickers is, it pales next to the names of guests who leapt at the chance to sing with Larry Sparks. Vince Gill provides tenor harmonies on a rapid-fire take of the Delmore Brothers’ "Blues Stay Away From Me," country legend Tom T. Hall makes a rare appearance to swap verses on his own "I Want You To Meet My Friend," Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski frame Sparks’ lead with burnished harmonies on the signature "John Deere Tractor" – and that’s just for starters. The long list encompasses country, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel friends and colleagues, but perhaps more notably, as a sign of Sparks’ ongoing influence, a group of next-generation country stars – Andy Griggs, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Kevin Denney, all of whom were familiar with his music before being invited to join in the project. Add it all up and it’s hard to imagine a more fitting and enjoyable celebration of a bluegrass great’s life and career.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have to fully understand & appreciate Larry's talent, March 1, 2005

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

Playing Time - 51:44 -- Larry Sparks celebrates forty years of expert playing and singing with a generous 16-track album that immediately makes one sit up and take notice. Just inside the 28-page CD jacket full of photos and liner notes is the statement that "When the roll is called up yonder, Larry Sparks will stand among the greatest country singers in history." Robert Oermann's notes explain that by choosing the bluegrass music field, Larry Sparks has not achieved the fame, recognition and airplay of big-time country singers. However, some used to affectionately refer to him as "The Elvis of Bluegrass." From southern Ohio, Sparks who now lives in Indiana began singing and playing bluegrass when he was only five years old. His sister Bernice taught him to play guitar. In 1965, Sparks' first professional job (at age 18) was as guitarist with The Stanley Brothers, replacing George Shuffler. After Carter Stanley died in late 1966, Larry Sparks took over as the lead singer with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys until 1969 when he formed his own band, The Lonesome Ramblers.

Released in March 2005 and produced by Don Rigsby, this album features an all-star cast of Andy Griggs, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Kevin Denney, Stuart Duncan, Ralph Stanley, David Harvey, Randy Kohrs, Chris Jones, Josh McMurray, Tom T. Hall, Ronnie Bowman and many others. Each track features some interesting and delightful guest appearances from Larry's friends and supporters. For example, Krauss sings with Sparks on "John Deere Tractor," and Vince Gill joins him on an up-tempo rendition of "Blues Stay Away From Me." The Isaacs provide some exceptional vocal harmonies of "Where the Sweet Water Flows," a song written by Larry and his sister. Halfway through the project, an a cappella version of "I Need Jesus" with The Marshall Family is very tastefully rendered. Following that is the up-tempo "Sharecropper's Son" which is rendered with an arrangement faithfully close to the first song that Larry recorded with Ralph Stanley on May 7, 1967, complete with harmonica provided by Kirk "Jellyroll" Johnson.

In October 2004, Larry Sparks won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year Award. He closes "40" with a rawboned version of Homer Jackson's "New Highway," with guitar, bass, mandolin and with Larry singing all three vocal parts. This album is a must-have to fully understand and appreciate the talent and depth of one of bluegrass music's most respected and cherished stylists. But if one were just to think he's a vocalist, don't be mistaken. Check out the instrumental "Carter's Blues" with top guitarists Kenny Smith, Vince Gill, Tim Stafford, and Jim Hurst sharing the breaks with Sparks. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, December 25, 2008

By	Douglas Kelsey (Oneonta NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of Larry Spark's best. I just bought 5 bluegrass CD's and this one is head and shoulders over the others. Just classic bluegrass and some great picking. Can't stop playing this one.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not his best., June 20, 2008

By	Bill W "Bill W" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Larry Sparks normally produces bluegrass that has some feel to it. This CD never seemed to connect with me and he sounds really tired on the recordings.