1966
Sundazed/Modern Harmonic, 2023
9/10
The bluegrass legends Kentucky Colonels left an indelible impact in the early ‘60s, and 1966 (originally released in 1978) contained a pair of originals plus plenty of covers and traditionals. This reissue packs in previously unissued tracks for a wider peek into the sextet’s timeless influence.
The first 12 tracks, recorded 2/1967, feature swift tunes like the brief opener “Soldiers Joy”, as well as the more reserved and harmonic “The Fugitive”, where Roland White’s warm mandolin and the well timed group vocals make an impression.
Further along, the melodic and dynamic “One Tear” spotlights Bob Worford’s agile banjo and Bobby Crane’s fiddle prowess, while the very quick “Take Off Your Cheaters” benefits from Clarence White’s meticulous guitar and Eric White’s playful bass plucking. “Cotton Eyed Joe” wraps up this portion, and blends the vocal harmonies amid Dennis Morse’s rhythm guitar.
The back half of the listen, which was recorded between 1959-61, brings Leroy McNees on dobro for the raw recordings of “I’ll Go Steppin Too”, and the bluegrass love song “I’ll Never Love Anybody But You”. The record ends on “Mad Banjo”, where Roger Bush’s skilled bass complements Billy Ray Latham’s fluid banjo acrobatics.
An outfit who were largely responsible for moving bluegrass into the modern era, Kentucky Colonels inspired legions of other bands who are still tracing their lineage today, and this well done expanded edition certainly does their legacy justice.
Travels well with: Merle Monroe- Songs Of A Simple Life; Williamson Branch- Heritage & Hope