Maurice Hope – July 10, 2016 at 01:04PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Bluegrass singer-songwriter ace Irene Kelley writes wholesome, homely songs, the kind you are instantly drawn to. The kind to warm the heart of both friend and stranger to her work. As told in Robert Oermann’s liner notes her songs have been embraced by fellow bluegrass sisters Rhonda Vincent, Claire Lynch, Sharon White and Deanie Richardson to name but a few who have recorded her songs. While on the country scene, big hitter Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Darrell Scott and Little Big Town plus Pat Green and veteran act Loretta Lynn have likewise taken that route. So engaging her lyrics and beautiful the melodies of her songs on this record I believe those of both the bluegrass and country field now have bunch more to choose from.
Support comes from acoustic music icons Bryan Sutton (guitar, claw-hammer banjo), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Randy Kohrs (resonator guitar), Scott Vestal (banjo) and Mark Fain (bass) plus background vocals from a bunch more talented musicians, Claire Lynch, Ronnie Bowman, Steve Gully, Dale Ann Bradley, Justyna Kelley (daughter), Sharon White Skaggs and Cheryl White. That is what I call an impressive line-up of musicians. Expect the record to have more than one nomination at next year’s annual IBMA awards.
If you enjoy the music of multi-award award winner Lynch then you will likewise adore the bluegrass music served up by her fellow singer-songwriter recording act, and friend Irene Kelley. These Hills is produced by Fain, a mainstay of Ricky Skaggs’ band Kentucky Thunder, and he couldn’t have done a better job. The best is eked out of the material given him by, and boy isn’t it good! Littered with lyrical treasures, Kelley and as is the case on all songs her co-writers serve up a terrific wealth of material.
Top of the list you have her reminiscing on “Coal Train” and loping bluegrass ode “Carolina Wind” (both with Thomm Jutz and Milan Miller), my favourite Jefferson’s “Hardware Store” (w/ Ronnie Bowman), banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle steeped “Leanin’ On The Good Times” (w/ Jon Weisberger) and wondrous ballad “Before You Call Me Home” (w/ Carlton Moody). The latter is of a gospel nature, its simplicity possesses a serene beauty few could match. Like a good few performances on the record it is top drawer, you can add to the above the lonesome sounding “These Hills” (that once again is loaded in sensitive playing and beautiful lyrics) and one written with Peter Cooper “Up In Those Blueridge Mountains”.
I could not finish my review without given mention to “Lester’s Song (These are The Eyes” as she displays, with loving care the sweetest of old-fashioned country waltzes.
Maurice Hope
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